Vijayadashami 2026: Police perform Shastra Pooja in Durg and Mumbai
Synopsis
On Vijayadashami 2026, police forces in Durg and Mumbai held Shastra Pooja ceremonies — worshipping weapons and vehicles in rituals steeped in tradition. Senior officers from both cities led the observances, using the occasion to publicly reaffirm their commitment to peace, public safety, and the enduring symbolism of good triumphing over evil.
Key Takeaways
Shastra Pooja was performed on 20 October 2026 at Durg Police Lines in Chhattisgarh and Naigaon Armoury in Mumbai.
SSP Vijay Agrawal led the Durg ceremony, which included worship of weapons and vehicles, followed by aerial firing.
Mumbai's ceremony was attended by Joint Commissioner of Police Suvez Haque and other senior officers from the Mumbai Police .
The ritual marks Vijayadashami , symbolising the victory of good over evil, and is observed annually by police and security forces across India.
SSP Agrawal appealed to residents to celebrate Dussehra peacefully and with brotherhood.
Police personnel in Durg, Chhattisgarh and Mumbai, Maharashtra performed the traditional Shastra Pooja on 20 October — the occasion of Vijayadashami — reaffirming their commitment to public safety and national service. The twin ceremonies, held at Durg Police Lines and the Naigaon Armoury in Mumbai, brought together senior officers and rank-and-file personnel for a ritual that holds deep symbolic significance for India's security forces.
Ceremony in Durg, Chhattisgarh
Senior Superintendent of Police Vijay Agrawal led the rituals at the Durg Police Lines, where weapons and service vehicles were worshipped according to traditional rites. A priest chanted mantras as officers performed the rituals, culminating in aerial firing to mark the festive occasion.
'Today we marked Vijayadashami, and on the occasion we did Shastra Puja — worshipping of weapons — along with worshipping our vehicles according to all the rituals,' SSP Agrawal said.
The ceremony was attended by Additional SP, Durg City, Shobharaj Agrawal; Additional SP, Rural, Manishankar Chandra; Additional SP, Traffic, Kaushalendra Patel; Reserve Inspector Neelkanth Verma; and several station house officers. SSP Agrawal described Vijayadashami as a symbol of the victory of truth over falsehood and good over evil, extending greetings to residents and urging them to celebrate Dussehra in an atmosphere of peace, harmony and brotherhood.
Parallel Ceremony at Mumbai's Naigaon Armoury
A similar observance was held at the Naigaon Armoury, a key security and logistics hub of the Mumbai Police situated in the Dadar-Naigaon area. Senior officers in attendance included Joint Commissioner of Police, Administration, Suvez Haque; Additional Commissioner of Police, Armed Police, Dikshit Gedam; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Armed Police, Anand Bhoite; and DCP, Central Region, Zone 2, Anurag Jain.
In a message marking the occasion, the police stated that the Shastra Pooja honoured the tradition and spirit of Vijayadashami and served as a reminder of their paramount duty to protect citizens and serve the nation.
The Significance of Shastra Pooja
Shastra Pooja is a centuries-old tradition performed on Vijayadashami across police forces, defence establishments and security agencies in India. The ritual is associated with the mythological triumph of good over evil and is observed annually as a reaffirmation of duty, courage and commitment to public protection. For law enforcement, it also carries a practical dimension — an occasion to inspect, honour and recommit to the tools of their profession.
Broader Context
Police forces across multiple Indian states observe Shastra Pooja on Vijayadashami each year, a tradition that spans from state police lines to paramilitary camps. This comes amid ongoing emphasis by both state governments on boosting public confidence in law enforcement. The ceremonies in Durg and Mumbai reflect a nationwide pattern of security forces using the festive occasion to reinforce community messaging around peace and civic order.
Point of View
Accessible way for police forces to signal civic commitment on a day when public attention is already elevated. What is notable is the consistent messaging: both Durg and Mumbai framed the ritual around peace and brotherhood, not just tradition. In a climate where police-public trust is a live political issue in several states, the optics of senior officers performing devotional rites alongside rank-and-file personnel carry weight beyond the ceremonial. The ritual's annual recurrence also functions as institutional continuity — a signal of organisational culture that transcends individual administrations.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shastra Pooja and why do police perform it on Vijayadashami?
Shastra Pooja is a traditional Hindu ritual in which weapons, vehicles and tools of one's profession are worshipped on Vijayadashami as a mark of duty and reverence. Police and security forces across India observe it annually as a symbol of their commitment to public protection, linking the mythological victory of good over evil to their own role in maintaining law and order.
Where were the Shastra Pooja ceremonies held on 20 October 2026?
Ceremonies were held at Durg Police Lines in Chhattisgarh and the Naigaon Armoury in Mumbai. The Durg event was led by SSP Vijay Agrawal, while Mumbai's observance was attended by Joint Commissioner of Police Suvez Haque and other senior officers.
Who led the Shastra Pooja in Durg, Chhattisgarh?
Senior Superintendent of Police Vijay Agrawal led the Durg ceremonies, accompanied by Additional SPs for city, rural and traffic divisions, as well as Reserve Inspector Neelkanth Verma and multiple station house officers.
What message did the Durg police convey on Vijayadashami?
SSP Vijay Agrawal described Vijayadashami as a symbol of truth's victory over falsehood and appealed to residents to celebrate Dussehra peacefully and with a spirit of brotherhood. He also reiterated the Durg Police's commitment to public safety.
What is the Naigaon Armoury and where is it located?
The Naigaon Armoury is a key security and logistics hub of the Mumbai Police, located in the Dadar-Naigaon area of Mumbai, Maharashtra. It serves as a central facility for armed police operations in the city.
