Happy Saraswati/Ayudha Puja!

It's time to worship your books and iron tools, folks! Today is the last day of Navaratri, a festival of nine nights with three days each devoted to the worship of God in the form of the goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. In south India the last day of Navaratri is celebrated as Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja. Saraswati puja involves asking God to help you in your studies and other intellectual or business pursuits. Books, ledgers, and other such written materials used by students and business folks are worshipped today. Ayudha puja is for the worship of iron tools, or other implements you use to make a living. I'll be checking out Ayudha pujas at the cycle shop next door and the auto stand down the road tonight. We've decided to include my ailing computer in the Saraswati puja this evening; there was some debate as to whether it constitutes an iron tool or a book. Tamilarasi says it is a kind of book, so Saraswati puja it is.

My computer could definitely benefit
from some puja action this evening.