Ujjain : Continuing the tradition police personnels worshiped arms on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, here on Friday. Goddess Durga was worshipped in her warrior form in various police stations in city. She was worshipped in the armouries, minus the huge fanfare where cops of all ranks ceremoniously placed their weapons before the deity to seek her blessings.
The main Pujan was performed at police lines by IG V Madhukumar and SP Anurag Kumar in presence of various other police officials performed the Shastra Pujan (weapon worship). Devidas Shastri was chief priest in the occasion. Shastri has been performing the pujan for past 40 years. This is the only day, policemen do not possess firearms as those are placed at the feet of Goddess only to be removed next day. However, exigencies and law and order situations sometimes force the men in uniform to lift their weapons. As per the rituals, vermilion and sandalwood paste was applied on the weapons and when the Puja was performed.
ASPs Pankaj Shrivastava and CSP Jagdish Dawar, IPS officers Ashit Yadav and Mayank Awasthi, DSP Vijay David and Reserved Inspector Kiran Sharma were present on the occasion. The weapons, which were worshiped, include various kinds of guns, pistols and rifles. While they all were garlanded, the priest put vermilion on them and sprinkled sacred water. The police officials said, they have been following the tradition of weapon worshiping since years. The motive behind the tradition too coincides with the belief of victory of good over evil. SP Anurag Kumar and other officers also fired joy shots in the air to mark the ceremony. SP on the occasion announced rewards on the occasion for cleanliness of the armoury weapons and armoury too.
