Sri Vishwakarma Jayanti is dedicated to the divine architect Vishwakarma. It is celebrated on fixed day of ‘kanya sankranti’ every year. In English calender Vishwakarma jayanti falls on 17th September. It is celebrated in mostly in the Northern states of India. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, Vishwakarma Diwas is celebrated in month of Magha (January-February)

Who is Sri Vishwakarma

Sri Vishwakarma is the presiding deity who is meant as the Lord of all craftmen, architects, designers and engineers. Vedas, the spritual literature of India, describes him as the son of Lord Brahma who was appointed as the official builder of all the divine palaces in the Universe.

The Mahabharata describes him as: “The lord of the arts and executor of a thousand handicrafts. He is the carpenter of the gods and is the most eminent artist of artisans. He is expert in fashioning and known as the fashioner of all ornaments. He is the great designer with all immortal qualities.” There are many credits for his architectural wonders. He is known to be the designer of Swarga or heaven – the abode of Indra, Sone ki Lanka, Dwaraka puri, Hastinapur and Indrapasta.

The deity of Vishwakarma has four hands with a crown on head. He wears lot of finely designed gold jewellery. In his four hands Lord Vishwakarma holds a water-pot, a book, a noose and craftsmen’s tools.

Sri Vishwakarma Puja – The Spirit and the Ritual

Hindus consider this day as very auspicious. It is also called as the Divine Labour Day of Hindus or India. The main spirit of the day is appreciation of Sri Vishwakarma for his expertise with a inspiration to imbibe his good qualities in working class so that everyone is bestowed with ability and proficiency.

The ritual usually is observed in all, major and minor, factories, carpenter shops, machine shops, workshops and offices. All the work places come alive with fiesta. It is observed as holiday this day. But all the workers and officials gather and take part in the puja. A deity of Vishwakarma is placed in the prominent place and ritual puja is done by pujari. Cocunuts are broken near the deity and all the machines of the factory. Food is cooked and offered to the deity as all the workers are fed sumptously. The authorities of the factories give the discourse on the importance of the day and the events in the factories. Sri Vishakarma Diwas brings the spirit of unity in working class. Children and other fly kites as the buoyant custom. The day creates the festive mood of everyone for upcoming festivals: Dashera and Diwali.