Mangalore : Priest Blesses Vehicles the Catholic Way to Mark ‘Ayudha Puja’

Ashwin Krushnapaksha 1, Kaliyug Varsha 5116

 

Mangalore : There is no question about it, Catholics like blessings. It’s part of our faith and culture. We regularly bless people, places and things – religious things and secular things. But how about the blessings of vehicles to mark the Hindu festival ‘Ayudha Puja’ in a Catholic religious way.. Traditionally, Ayudha Puja is celebrated by Hindus to honour all equipment and instruments that aid in their daily work. For Hindus, staying true to the ideology, the site of the Puja itself is a work station. The custom of removing all evil eyes is performed by smashing a white pumpkin and a coconut. But ‘Ayudha Puja’ blessings that took place at the Milagres Church compound didn’t involve any breaking of pumpkins/coconuts, instead Rev Fr Valerian D’Souza -Parish Priest and Fr Sunil D’Souza-Assistant parish priest went around the vehicles parked in the church premises and sprinkled Holy water on them, along with short prayer. That was simple and fast- Blessing complete!

The Vehicle Blessing was scheduled after each Saturday 4th October evening mass (4.30pm and 5.30pm) and on Sunday 5th October morning mass (7am, 8.15am and 9.30am). This was something unique that the Catholic churches are doing to mark “Ayudha Pooja”, although blessings of cars/vehicles usually takes place on the Feast day of St Christopher. The feast of St. Christopher used to be on the Universal Calendar on July 25. If you carry a medal of St. Christopher in your car, as millions do, your children will be especially interested in his life.

According to legend, he carried a child on his shoulders across a treacherous river one day, and in midstream almost collapsed under the weight. Only when he reached the other shore did he realize that he had carried the Savior upon his back. St. Christopher is widely venerated as the patron of travelers. In many churches, cars/vehicles are blessed on his feast day. Speaking to yours truly, Fr Sunil D’Souza said that for the last few years we have been blessing the vehicles after Mass, to mark ‘Ayudha Puja” day, just to respect the tradition of the local Hindu community.

Ayudha Puja – is a worship of whatever implements, even vehicles one may use in one’s livelihood. On the preceding evening, it is traditional to place these implements on an altar to the Divine. If one can make a conscious effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses each day, it will help one to see one’s work as an offering to God. It will also help one to maintain constant remembrance of the divine. (In India it is customary for one to prostrate before the tools one will use before starting one’s work each day; this is an expression of gratitude to God for helping one to fulfil one’s duties.)

Children traditionally place their study books and writing implements on the altar. On this day, no work or study is done, that one might spend the day in contemplation of the Divine.The tools and all implements of vocation are first cleaned. All the tools, machines, vehicles and other devices are then painted or well polished after which they are smeared with turmeric paste, sandalwood paste (in the form of a tilak (insignia or mark) and Kumkum (vermillion). Then, in the evening, previous to the puja day, they are placed on an earmarked platform and decorated with flowers. In the case of weapons of war, they are also cleaned, bedecked with flowers and tilak and placed in a line, adjacent to a wall. On the morning of the puja that is on the navami day, they are all worshiped along with the images of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati. Books and musical instruments are also
placed on the pedestal for worship. On the day of the puja, these are not to be disturbed. The day is spent in worship and contemplation.

So, if you have the opportunity to have your car blessed, by all means, do so. It’s a nice devotional practice and an expression of faith. But remember, God will be your passenger only as long as you’re safe and careful while on the road. St. Christopher, pray for us on Vehicle Blessing Day aka “Ayudha Puja’?

Source : Mangalorean