Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India], October 5 (ANI): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed confidence in the armed forces of the country and said that they are the "pride of the nation".

"We are confident that our country is safe in the hands of our armed forces. The jawans of our armed forces and paramilitary forces are the pride of our country," Rajnath Singh said after performing 'Shastra Puja' in the presence of Army Chief General Manoj Pande at the Auli Military Station in Uttarakhand.

He further said that India is the only country where "Shaastra" as well as "Shastra" are worshipped.

Singh's remarks came while he was interacting with the Army jawans deployed at the forward post located on the China border in Uttarakhand.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1577501095462858753He was also seen with the latest weapons and machines used by the Army in the forward areas.

He performed the 'puja' to mark the celebrations of Vijayadashmi, which is celebrated to bid adieu to Goddess Durga representing a day that marks the triumph of good over evil.

According to mythology on this day Goddess Durga annihilated the demon god Mahishasura after a fierce battle that lasted for nine days.

The day is also celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Ram over the king of Lanka, Ravana.

Dussehra is marked with religious enthusiasm across the country. Ramlila, the dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Ram is staged for 10 days and concludes on Dussehra.

Effigies of the ten-headed demon king Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Indrajit are burnt with fireworks to signify the destruction of evil.

Rajnath Singh is on a two-day visit to Uttarakhand from Tuesday to celebrate the festival of Vijayadashmi with Jawans. Later, he arrived at Badridham and offer prayers at the Badrinath temple.

On Tuesday, he also had 'Bada Khana' with the soldiers in Dehradun. (ANI)