Vishwakarma Puja ( Photo Feature)

Kathmandu: People have been observing the Vishwakarma Puja, or Vastu Day, by worshipping the Lord Vishwakarma; who is regarded as. divine architect in the Hindu religion.

Mostly, the workers, engineers, workers, designers, artisans, sculptors, and craftsmen (Kaligarhs)observe this day with a special significance.

Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated every year on the day of Kanya i.e. Ashwin Sankranti, by worshipping the deities (made from the sand) or by a picture of Lord Vishwakarma.

Mostly, the workers of the factories celebrate this day on a grand scale. They decorate the factories and participate in the rituals to worship Lord Vishwakarma.

Sculptors giving final touches to idols for Vishwakarma Puja(Photo Feature)

The statue of Vishwakarma made from sand or other materials is immersed at Bagmati Muhansthal, Sundarijal, and other holy place. The statue and images of Vishwakarma, whose worshipping began on Tuesday, will be immersed in the river from Wednesday.

There is a religious belief that the worshipping of the tools used by workers (mainly those who use tools for performing metal activities) will increase their durability, will not break down during work, and will increase their performance.

Lord Viswakarma has also contributed to the construction of the Dwaraka, the gateway to eternal happiness; Swarnapuri, the city of gold, Swarnadwarika, the golden gateway.

According to Iskcondesiretree, Dwaraka is mentioned as the Golden City in Mahabharata, Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana, and Harivamsha. Interesting descriptions of its construction are found in Purana.

According to Hindu scriptures, fearing an attack from Jarasangh and Kalayvan on Mathura, Sri Krishna, and Yadavas left Mathura and arrived at the coast of Saurashtra. They decided to build their capital in the coastal region and invoke the Vishwakarma, the deity of construction.

However, Vishwakarma says that the task can be completed only if Samudradeva, the Lord of the Sea provides some land. Sri Krishna worshipped Samudradeva, who was pleased and gave them land measuring 12 yojans and the divine architect Vishwakarma built Dwaraka, a city in gold. This divine creation by Lord Vishwakarma seems to be the beginning of observing Vishwakarma Puja.

(Glimpses of Vishwakarma Puja) 

   (Photo Courtesy: Saroj Basnet) 

Nepali version of the photo