Vishvakarma Puja

Vishvakarma Puja
Image of Vishvakarma venerated during Vishvakarma Puja
Also calledVishvakarma Jayanti
Observed byHindus
DateKanya Sankranti, the last day of Bhadra (Hindu calendar)
2024 date17 September
FrequencyAnnual

Vishvakarma Puja (Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मापूजा, romanized: Viśvakarmāpūjā),[1] also rendered Vishvakarma Jayanti, is a Hindu observance dedicated to Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods.[2]

It falls on the date of Kanya Sankranti of the Hindu calendar. It is generally celebrated every year between 16 and 18 September,[3] according to the Gregorian calendar, the last few days of the Hindu Bhadra month.[4] The festival is also celebrated in Nepal. Vishvakarma Puja is also celebrated a day after Diwali, along with Govardhan Puja in October–November.[5]

Significance

Vishvakarma is considered to be the divine architect of the universe and the personification of divine creativity in the Rigveda. He is credited with the construction of the city of Dvaraka for Krishna, the palace of Indraprastha for the Pandavas, and many fabulous weapons for the gods, such as the Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu, the trishula of Shiva, and the lance of Kartikeya. He is also regarded to have authored the Sthapatya Veda, the science of mechanics and architecture. He is regarded to be the patron deity of all craftsmen, with implements of trade often venerated in his honour on the occasion of Vishvakarma Puja.[6][7]

Practices

The festival is observed primarily in factories and industrial areas, often on the shop floor. The day is marked by artisans, craftsmen, mechanics, smiths, welders, industrial workers, factory workers, engineers, architects, and other workers. Adherents pray for a better future, safe working conditions and, above all, success in their respective fields. Workers also pray for the smooth functioning of various machines. The workers associate their workmanship with the concept of shakti (power), and sometimes see themselves as the children of Vishvakarma.[8] Shrines for the deity are constructed in parts of the workspace for the veneration of tools and machines associated with the line of work.[9] Prasada is often distributed among the workers after offering veneration to the deity for his grace.[10]

Image of Vishvakarma, Bengal

In many parts of India, there is a government holiday on 17 September for the occasion, but it is not considered as a national holiday but as a "restricted holiday", whereas in Nepal, there is a full government holiday on this day.

References

  1. ^ Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 137. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
  2. ^ Melton, J. Gordon (2011). Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations. ABC-CLIO. pp. 908–. ISBN 978-1-59884-205-0.
  3. ^ "Vishwakarma Puja will be celebrated in the month of September, know the method of worship". Prabhat Khabar. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  4. ^ McDermott, Rachel Fell (31 May 2011). Revelry, Rivalry, and Longing for the Goddesses of Bengal: The Fortunes of Hindu Festivals. Columbia University Press. p. 244. ISBN 978-0-231-52787-3.
  5. ^ Shobna Gupta (2010). Festivals Of India. Har-Anand Publications. pp. 84–. ISBN 978-81-241-1277-9.
  6. ^ Chandra, Suresh (1998). Encyclopaedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Sarup & Sons. p. 359. ISBN 978-81-7625-039-9.
  7. ^ Garg, Gaṅgā Rām (1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World. Concept Publishing Company. p. 51. ISBN 978-81-7022-374-0.
  8. ^ Korom, Frank J.; Lowthorp, Leah K. (21 May 2020). South Asian Folklore in Transition: Crafting New Horizons. Routledge. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-429-75381-7.
  9. ^ Hawkesworth, Mary; Kogan, Maurice (7 November 2013). Encyclopedia of Government and Politics: 2-volume set. Routledge. p. 2241. ISBN 978-1-136-91339-6.
  10. ^ Mohapatra, J. (24 December 2013). Wellness in Indian Festivals & Rituals: Since the Supreme Divine Is Manifested in All the Gods, Worship of Any God Is Quite Legitimate. Partridge Publishing. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-4828-1689-1.

Further reading