UNIQUE AND INTERESTING

VISHWAKARMA PUJA

In Hindu Mythology, Vishwakarma is the divine architect of the universe. He is also called the divine carpenter and is mentioned in the Rigveda as deva shilpi (Architect of Gods) and is credited with Sthapatya Veda, the science of mechanics and architecture.

According to the Hindu mythology, Vishwakarma, the seventh son of Brahma, the creator of the world, was gifted with a unique creativity. In Buddhism, Vishwakarma is known as Lhai Zow Vishwakarma and there are several stories extolling his creative talents. People and organisations that make a living from handling of machines observe the day with deep reverence.

Artisans, craftsmen, mechanics, smiths, welders, industrial workers, factory workers and workers of all kind worship Lord Vishwakarma on this day and pray for a better future, safe working conditions and above all success in their respective fields.

People conduct poojas in the factories and industrial areas, often on the shop floor. It is a custom of the craftsmen to worship their tool in his name and they refrain from working with their tools on this day. According to mythology it is Vishwakarma who designed the triloka; the tripartite universe consisting of the mortal world, the heavens, and the netherworld. Vishwakarma is also credited for creating the missiles used in the mythological era, including the Vajra the sacred weapon of Lord Indra (a parallel of Zeus’ thunderbolts) from the ribs of sage Dadhichi. He is also credited with the creation of the twin bows Saringa and Pinaka used by Vishnu and Siva respectively against each other to decide who the greater warrior was.

Lord Vishwakarma is regarded as the supreme power according to Rig veda, the very essence of excellence and quality in creation.
In the state of Bengal Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated much before Dushhera. Seventeenth September is celebrated as Vishwakarma day in India to worship lord Vishwakarma. Vishwakarma puja is observed on the kanya sankranti day which comes after the ganesh puja. The puranas says that he did the construction of dwaraka, where lord Krishna was the ruler and the maya sabha of the pandavas. The fourth upa-veda was revealed by Vishwakarma and holds the position of authority of the sixty four mechanical arts.

Since the puranic age Vishwakarma is said to be Divine engineer. In Mahabharata and Harivamsa, He is said to be the son of Vasu Prabhassa and Yoga Siddha is described as the lord of arts.

This festival of Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated with full enthusiasm. It is observed mostly in workshops, offices and factories in the industrial areas. Automobile workshops and factories around the country remains closed on Vishwakarma Puja to celebrate the day which involves setting up altars at factory and construction sites to make offerings to Lord Vishwakarma. Shop floors in various factories wear a festive look on this occasion. In beautifully decorated pandals the image of Vishwakarma and his faithful elephant are inaugurated and worshipped. The industrial towns in urban area come alive with decorative pandals and loudspeakers. Most factories around the area declare the annual bonus on this day. The puja pandals are usually made within the factory premises. Vehicle owners also festoon their cars with balloons and colourful ribbons.

On Vishwakarma Puja day family members of the employees come together to create a bright moment in an otherwise dull and mundane workshop. The entire factory workforce sits together for lunch.




The rituals are followed by the distribution of "prasad". The yearly feast is cooked and the workmen and the owners take their lunch get together. People are also found to be flying multi-colour kites. The sky fills up with all shades and colours. Chadials, Mombattis, Chowrangees, Petkattas, Mayurpankhis, Baggas fly high to establish the skills of the fliers. The sky becomes a war zone with the discarded kites dropping every now and then with the cry of "Bho-Kattaaa" from the distant roofs or parks.