500+ Weapons: Raja Bhaiya’s Grand Shastra Pujan at Benti Rajbhavan
Kunda MLA Raja Bhaiya marks Vijayadashami with a massive Shastra Pujan at Benti Rajbhavan, displaying over 500 weapons.
In a powerful display of tradition and heritage, Raghuraj Pratap Singh, the Kunda MLA and national president of the Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik), popularly known as Raja Bhaiya, performed the annual Raja Bhaiya Shastra Pujan on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The ceremony took place at his ancestral Benti Rajbhavan in Pratapgarh to mark the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami.
A Sea of Steel and Vedic Chants
The Benti Rajmahal witnessed a massive gathering of supporters who arrived to witness the ritual. The scale of the event was evident as over 500 firearms and a variety of other weapons were meticulously arranged on tables for the consecration. The atmosphere was charged with spirituality as Acharya Atul Ji Maharaj, accompanied by other priests, led the proceedings with traditional Vedic chants.
The ritual saw active participation from the family, with Raja Bhaiya’s younger son, Brijraj Singh, serving as a primary host (yajman), alongside Durgesh Singh and Ajit Singh. The event also drew several political figures, including MLA Vinod Saroj and MLC Akshay Pratap Singh Gopal Ji.
New Addition to the Estate
Beyond the weapon worship, the day marked another significant addition to the ancestral home. A grand marble idol of Lord Ganesha, specially commissioned from Kishangarh, Rajasthan, was installed at the entrance of the Benti Kothi, adding a divine touch to the celebrations.
Tradition vs. Legality
The public display of such a vast arsenal comes amidst a backdrop of historical disputes. Previously, Bhanvi Singh, the wife of Raja Bhaiya, had raised questions regarding the legality of the weapon collection. While the Arms Act of 1959 strictly governs the possession of firearms, supporters of the MLA maintained that every weapon displayed during the ceremony is fully licensed and that the event is a continuation of a long-standing cultural tradition.
This event marks the second year in a row that the Shastra Pujan has been conducted in such a public and grand manner.
Wider Celebrations in Pratapgarh
The spirit of weapon worship was not limited to the Benti Rajbhavan. In other parts of the district, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal also organized their own Shastra Pujan rituals in the Gaura block on October 18, 2026, highlighting the regional significance of the tradition during the festive season.