In pics: Defense minister Rajnath Singh performs Shastra pooja on Dusshera

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated Vijaya Dashami with Army personnel at Sukhna Cantonment in Darjeeling, West Bengal, by performing the traditional Shastra Pooja. The ceremony symbolises the respect for weapons, a key aspect of India’s cultural heritage, where soldiers honour their instruments of defence on this auspicious day. (Image source: ANI)

Defense minister Rajnath Singh seen performing the ‘Shastra Puja,’ a ritual to honour the weapons used by the armed forces. This traditional practice is an integral part of the Dussehra celebrations, signifying the reverence for instruments of warfare and protection. (Image source: PTI)

As part of the ceremony, the Defence Minister garlanded a rocket launcher, acknowledging the significance of military equipment in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty. (Image source: ANI)

Defense minister Rajnath Singh applied the ceremonial tilak to AK-203 rifles, one of the advanced weapon systems used by the Indian Army. (Image source: ANI)

The Defence minister continued the Shastra Puja by honouring an MMG (Medium Machine Gun), reinforcing the Indian Army’s commitment to maintaining state-of-the-art military preparedness and upholding traditions. (Image source: ANI)

Defence Minister Singh can be seen applying tilak to a series of weapons as part of the traditional Shastra Puja. (Image source: PTI)

During the ceremony, defense minister Rajnath Singh was also seen holding and offering a coconut, a sacred object used in Hindu rituals, while standing beside a stack of rifles. This symbolic act represents a deep cultural connection between spirituality and military service. (Image source: ANI)

In a mark of respect, the Defence Minister is seen holding a rifle and pressing it to his forehead, reflecting the cultural ethos of honouring weapons as protectors of the nation. This act reaffirms the bond between tradition and the armed forces. (Image source: ANI)

Defense minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to modern military equipment, including drones, which are pivotal in contemporary warfare.(Image source: ANI)

During the event, the defence minister honoured robotic mules, showcasing the Indian Army’s commitment to embracing innovation while staying rooted in tradition. These machines are crucial for carrying supplies in challenging terrains, especially in border areas. (Image source: ANI)

As part of the ceremony, defense minister Rajnath Singh applied tilak on the forehead of an Army commander, a gesture signifying the unity between the leadership and the soldiers in protecting the nation. (Image source: ANI)

Concluding the Shastra Puja ceremony, the defence minister addressed the Army commanders and took a group photo, celebrating Vijaya Dashami with the troops at the Sukna Military Station. (Image source: ANI)