Worship of Weapons

In earlier times, a common rite among
the warrior classes on the festival of
Dussehra (usually occurring within
October and November). This festival
has two different charter myths, both of
which mark the triumph of good over
evil. It is celebrated as the day that the
god Rama slew the demon Ravana, and
is also associated with the triumph of
the Goddess over a demon named
Mahishasura. Given the martial tone of
both charter myths, it is easy to see how
it would be associated with soldiers and
fighting, and thus this was considered a
day to worship one’s weapons, as a symbol of the deity. According to popular
belief, any endeavor begun on this festival day will invariably succeed, and for
this reason, Dussehra has been a
favored day to begin military campaigns. Since Dussehra comes after the
end of the monsoon rains, in which any
travel is nearly impossible, this is a
favorable time from a strategic perspective as well.
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World Parliament of Religions