Omkar Dattatray
Vishvakarma is the divine carpenter and master craftsman who fashioned the weapons of the gods and built their cities and chariots .He is the architect of the mythical city Lanka and is also said to have made great images of Jagannath at Puri (Orissa).Vishvakarma in Hindu mythology is architect of the gods .The name was originally used as an epithet of any powerful god but later came to personify creative power. .He is said to had revealed the sciences of architecture and mechanics to humans and is the patron deity of workers ,artisans ,and artists .So Vishvakarma is a craftsman deity and the divine architect of the gods in the contemporary Hinduism .In early texts ,the craftsman deity was called as Tvastar and the word Vishvakarma was originally used as an epithet for any powerful deity .However ,in many later traditions ,Vishvakarma became the name of craftsman god .Vishvakarma crafted all of the chariots of the devas and weapons including the Vajra of the god Indra .Vishvakarma was related to the sun god Surya through his daughter Samjna .According to legend ,when Samjina left her house due to Surya’s energy ,Vishvakarma reduced the energy and created various other weapons using it .Vishvakarma also built various cities like Lanka ,Dwaraka and Indraprastha .According to the epic Ramayana ,the vanara (monkey or forest man).Nala was the son of Vishvakarma ,created to aid the avatar Rama .The term Vishvakarma was originally used as an epithet for any supreme god and as an attribute of Indra and sun. The name Vishvakarma occurs five times in the tenth book of Rigveda .The two hymns of the Rigveda identify Vishvakarma as all-seeing ,and having eyes ,faces ,arms and feet on every side and also has wings .Brahma ,the god of creation ,who is four-faced and four -armed resembles him in these aspects. .He is represented as being the source of all prosperity ,swift in his thoughts and titled a seer ,priest ,and lord of speech .Vishvakarma is considered to be the fifth monotheistic God concept .He is both The Architect and The Divine Engineer of The universe from before the advent of time.Vishvakarma Puja also rendered Vishvakarma Jayanti ,is a Hindu observance dedicated to Vishvakarma ,the architect of the gods .It falls on the date of Kanya Sankranti of the Hindu calendar .It is generally celebrated every year between 16and 18 September ,according to the Gregorian calendar ,the last few days of the Hindu Bhadra month .The festival is also celebrated in Nepal .Vishvakarma Puja is also celebrated a day after Diwali ,along with Goverdhan Puja in October -November .Vishvakarma Puja is a festival celebrated in India to honor Lord Vishvakarma ,the divine architect .It is observed with great devotion in workplaces and among artisans .Preparations include cleaning and decorating workplaces ,performing rituals ,and showcasing creations .People send messages and wishes to their family and friends ,seeking blessings for creativity ,prosperity and success .The Puja is an occasion to embrace new ideas and technologies and is a platform to appreciate skills and creativity in various fields .This auspicious day is observed with great fervor and devotion across the country ,especially in workplaces ,factories ,and among artisans. .Vishvakarma Puja is celebrated to pay homage to Lord Vishwakarma ,the divine engineer and creator according to Hindu mythology .Lord Vishwakarma is believed to have constructed the celestial abodes ,weapons, and vehicles of gods and goddesses .This festival holds immense importance for workers ,craftsmen ,and industrial laborers .It is an occasion to seek Lord Vishwakarma’s blessings for skill ,creativity ,and success in their respective fields .Vishwakarma Puja also symbolizes innovation and excellence in craftsmanship .It encourages individuals to embrace new ideas and technologies to improve their workmanship .Preparations for Vishwakarma Puja usually begin a few days in advance.People clean and decorate their workplaces ,factories ,and machinery ,tools and implements .Idols or images of Lord Vishwakarma are cleaned and adorned with flowers .On the day of Puja ,a priest or a skilled artisan performs the rituals .The day starts with the chanting of Vedic hymns and the offering of flowers ,fruits .Artisans and workers often showcase their craftsmanship on this day ,presenting their latest creations or innovations .It is a platform to appreciate and acknowledge the skills and creativity of individuals in various fields .On the occasion of Vishwakarma day ,artisans ,craftsmen and laborers clean their machinery ,tools and implements and worship these by offering flowers and fruit .Usually on this day artisans ,craftsmen and laborers enjoy a holiday and abstain from work and instead worship Lord Vishwakarma and seek his blessings and they also worship their tools ,implements and machinery .As already mentioned this auspicious day is dedicated to Lord Vishwakarma ,who is worshipped as the celestial builder of the universe .On this day ,the skills and craftsmanship of artisans ,engineers ,and workers across various industries is honored .Some factories and workshops declare holiday for their craftsmen and laborers on Vishwakarma Jayanti .It is not only a religious observance but also a celebration of the creativity ,talent ,and hard work of the artisans and craftsmen .This festival is observed predominantly by the people involved in various forms of craftsmanship ,including artisans ,engineers ,architects ,mechanics ,and factory workers .The festival holds immense significance for people in large parts of the country .This auspicious day is dedicated to Lord Vishwakarma ,who is worshipped as the celestial builder of the universe .On this day ,the skills and craftsmanship of artisans,engineers and workers across various industries is honored .Some factories and workshops declare holiday for the craftsmen on Vishwakarma Jayanti .Others worship a photo of the deity and celebrate the occasion by distributing sweets among workers .Vishwakarma Jayanti promotes the idea that every form of work ,no matter how humble ,is valuable contribution to the world .This day also symbolizes the beginning of new ventures ,the inauguration of factories and workshops ,and the worship of tools and machinery .In his independence Day speech this year ,PM Narendra Modi announced the Vishwakarma Yojana and said the scheme is aimed at helping those with traditional skills ,who use their hands and basic tools to make a living .The origin of Vishwakarma Jayanti can be traced to ancient scriptures and texts .The earliest references to Vishwakarma Jayanti can be found in Rigveda ,one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism .Over the time ,this festival evolved and became an important occasion for artisans ,craftsmen ,and workers to pay homage to Lord Vishwakarma ,seeking his blessings for skill ,creativity and prosperity in their respective trades .In short today Vishwakarma Jayanti and his personality stands as a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage and its recognition of the importance of skilled labor in building and advancing society.
(The author is a columnist,social and KP activist).