On Vijayadashami — 20 October 2026 — the arsenals of Madhya Pradesh will fall silent for a different kind of ritual. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and members of his cabinet will perform Shastra Puja (worship of weapons and armaments) at state armouries, marking the festival that symbolises the triumph of righteousness over evil.

The Chief Minister's Office of Madhya Pradesh announced the ceremony on Sunday, sharing the message: 'Bhagwan Shri Ram ke aadarsho ka anusaran, paramparaon ka samman' — 'Following the ideals of Lord Shri Ram, respecting traditions.' The post described Vijayadashami as the symbol of the 'victory of dharma over adharma and truth over falsehood,' and called on all citizens to celebrate the festival with joy and enthusiasm.

What Shastra Puja means on Vijayadashami

Vijayadashami, also widely known as Dussehra, is one of India's most widely observed Hindu festivals, commemorating Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana. Across centuries, the day has also carried a martial dimension — the tradition of Shastra Puja, the ritual honouring of weapons, tools of craft, and instruments of governance, stretches back to royal courts and warrior communities that consecrated their arms before campaigns and harvests alike.

In Madhya Pradesh, state armouries serve as the ceremonial sites for this observance. Dr. Mohan Yadav, who has been Chief Minister since December 2023, has consistently placed emphasis on cultural traditions in official state functions, and this year's announcement continues that pattern.

A tradition that spans administrations

Official Vijayadashami observances are not new to Madhya Pradesh. Successive state governments have participated in Dussehra-linked rituals and public celebrations for decades, treating the festival as a moment of cultural continuity rather than a standalone policy event. Chief ministers and ministers performing Shastra Puja is a recognised part of the state's ceremonial calendar, sitting alongside community Ramlila performances and public gatherings across the state.

The BJP-led government under Dr. Yadav has maintained and, in some respects, amplified official participation in such observances, framing them as an affirmation of India's living cultural heritage — a position shared by several other state governments during major Hindu festivals.

As the country marks another Vijayadashami, the ritual at Madhya Pradesh's armouries will stand as both a religious ceremony and a public statement: that the oldest traditions of the land still have a place in the halls of modern governance.