By Ramesh Sarraf Dhamora
Lord Vishwakarma is considered the god of construction and creation. In Hinduism, he is worshipped as the divine craftsman of the universe, the Vastu expert of the gods and the first engineer. Vishwakarma is a symbol of creativity, technical skill and innovation. Vishwakarma Jayanti is celebrated on Suryakanya Sankranti in the month of Bhadrapada in his honour. This is the day when the Sun enters Virgo from Leo. On this day, labourers, artisans, engineers, architects and industrialists worship their tools and machines. According to mythological beliefs, Vishwakarma ji built many cities and buildings in four eras.
Vishwakarma Puja is a festival where craftsmen, artisans, workers celebrate the festival of Lord Vishwakarma. It is said that Vishwakarma, the son of Lord Brahma, created the entire universe. Vishwakarma is also called the architect of the palaces of the gods. Vishwakarma is made up of two words Vishwa (world or universe) and Karma (creator). Therefore, the word Vishwakarma means the creator of the world.
Vishwakarma is considered to be the inventor and the best knower of Shilpa Shastra. Who composed the oldest technical texts of the world. These texts contain details not only about building architecture, construction of vehicles like chariots etc. but also the effect and use of various gems etc. It is believed that he created the aircrafts of the gods. Lord Vishwakarma has his origin in the Rigveda. In which he is described as the creator of the universe. The concepts of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma born from the navel of Shivalinga are based on Vishwakarman Sukta.
Vishwakarma Prakash is considered to be an unparalleled text of Vastu Tantra. In this, the unique Vastu Vidya has been proved on the basis of mathematical formulas. It is believed that all the mythological structures are built by Lord Vishwakarma. Lord Vishwakarma’s birth is believed to be from the Samudra Manthan between the gods and demons. The weapons and arms of the mythological era were made by Lord Vishwakarma.
Vishwakarma Jayanti has special significance for the industrial world and Indian artists, laborers, engineers etc. Vishwakarma Jayanti is celebrated in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar and Jharkhand. Vishwakarma Puja is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nepal. Houses and shops built by worshipping Vishwakarma and following the rules of Vastu Shastra told by him are considered to give auspicious results. There is no Vastu defect in them.
On this day, industrial workers pray for a better future, safe working conditions and success in their respective fields. On the day of Vishwakarma Jayanti, work is stopped in many parts of the country and kite flying is done in abundance. Governments of various states provide paid holidays to their employees on Vishwakarma Jayanti. This festival is mainly celebrated by shops, factories and industries. On this occasion, workers in factories and industrial areas worship their tools.
Vishwakarma is universally accepted as a Vedic deity. He is also said to be the creator and promoter of the facilities required for the household life. Due to his special knowledge and science, Devshilpi Vishwakarma is worshipped not only by the human community but also by the gods. Gods, humans, demons, Yakshas and Gandharvas all have a feeling of respect for him. No technical work is considered auspicious without worshipping Lord Vishwakarma. That is why tools used in various works, factories and machines used in various industries are worshipped on Vishwakarma Jayanti.
Vishwakarma is considered to be a descendant of Brahmaji, the creator of the universe. Brahmaji’s son was Dharma and Dharma’s son was Vastu Dev. Who are considered to be the first man of architecture. Vishwakarma was born to this Vastu Dev’s wife named Angirasi. Following in his father’s footsteps, Vishwakarma also became a great Acharya of architecture. Manu, Maya, Tvashta, Shilpi and Devgya are his sons. These five sons are considered experts in different fields of architecture.
According to mythological evidence, Vishwakarma is credited with the construction of Indrapuri, Yampuri, Varunpuri, Kuberpuri of heaven, the golden city Lanka of demon king Ravana, the sea city Dwarka of Lord Krishna and the capital of Pandavas, Hastinapur. Interesting details of the construction of these excellent cities are found in mythology. The world famous Jagannath temple of Orissa is considered to be an unparalleled example of Vishwakarma’s craftsmanship. It is mentioned in Vishnu Purana that Lord Vishnu, pleased with the unique architecture of the Jagannath temple, honored him as Shilpavatar.
The place where the Pandavas lived in the Mahabharata was known as Indraprastha. It was also constructed by Vishwakarma. Hastinapur of the Kaurava dynasty and Dwarka of Lord Krishna were also constructed by Vishwakarma. Worship of Vishwakarma Ji, the creator of the heaven of Satyayug, Lanka of Tretayug, Dwarika of Dwapar and Hastinapur of Kaliyug, etc. is very auspicious. The first architect of the universe, the craftsman and the creator of the world’s first technical book, Lord Vishwakarma had created weapons to protect the gods.
Vishwakarma had given the Chakra to Vishnu, the Trishul to Shiva, the Vajra to Indra, the Gada to Hanuman and the Pushpak Viman to Kuber. The bow that Shri Ram broke in Sita’s Swayamvar was also made by Vishwakarma. Vishwakarma was the creator of the chariot on which the best archer Arjun had the power to destroy the world. The mandap and altar that were made for Parvati’s wedding were also prepared by Vishwakarma.
It is believed that Vishwakarma had built Lanka. The story behind this is that when Shiva asked Lord Vishwakarma to build a palace for Mother Parvati, Vishwakarma built a palace of gold. During the worship of this palace, Lord Shiva invited King Ravana. Ravana was mesmerized by seeing the palace and when Lord Shiva asked him to give something in Dakshina, he asked for the palace itself. Lord Shiva gave him the palace and went back to the mountains. Vishwakarma had built flying chariots for the gods. Vishwakarma had built Vajra, the weapon of Indra, the king of the gods. Vajra is made from the bones of Sage Dadhichi and Agneyastra. Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra was one of his powerful creations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana on 17 September 2023. In which complete assistance is provided to artisans and craftsmen working with their hands and tools. The scheme covers artisans and craftsmen engaged in 18 occupations, such as carpenter, boat maker, armourer, blacksmith, hammer and tool maker, locksmith, goldsmith, potter, sculptor, stone breaker, cobbler, shoemaker, mason, basket, mat, broom maker, weaver, doll and toy maker (traditional), barber, garland maker (malakar), washer-man, tailor and fishing net maker.
The PM Vishwakarma Yojana provides recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and identity card, skill upgradation through skill verification, basic skills, advanced skill training, entrepreneurship knowledge, and toolkit incentives up to Rs 15,000 and loan assistance up to Rs three lakhs.
(The author is a freelance journalist accredited by the Government of Rajasthan and can be reached at 9414255034)
