TEMPPLE

Bhagwan Vishwakarma
Any engineer/craftsman regardless of faith/caste, is considered a descendent and a representative of Bhagwan Vishwakarma the Divine architect of the Universe and is highly regarded for recreating the work of their celestial master. In contemporary Indian worship practice, Bhagwan Vishwakarma is universally accepted as the symbol of creativity.

Bhagwan Vishwakarma is mentioned in the Vedas, (the most ancient scriptures of wisdom) and is credited with Sthapatya Veda, the science of mechanics and engineering, an Upa-Veda (spiritual texts that subordinates to the four main Vedas) which reveal various treatises on the sixty-four traditionally recognized mechanical arts. Bhagwan Vishwakarma, while representing the multiplicity of forms and forces in the material world, is also representative of the ultimate unity in the universe, who is normally depicted holding a water pot, the Sthapatya Veda, a noose and craftsmen’s tool in each of his four hands.

Puja on Vishwakarma Day
Dhanteras is marks the beginning of the five days Diwali festival. The term ‘Dhanteras’ consists of two factors ‘dhans’,,means wealth and ‘teras’, means thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) every month.

1 a. The first day of Divali is when Bhagwan Dhanvantari appeared after churning of the ocean delivering Ayurvedic medicine for mankind.

1 b. At sunset, most Indians bathe in the river Yamuna and offer oil lamps along with Prasad (sanctified food) to Yamaraja, the Lord of Death, and pray for protection from untimely death.

2. Second day of Divali celebrates when Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura and liberated the 16,000 princesses the demon held captive.

3a. Third day of Divali celebrates Lakshmi Puja, the consort of god Vishnu, to receive blessings of wealth, prosperity.

3b. Triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, when Lord Ram returns to Ayodhaya, after defeating Raven (King of Lanka) subsequently having completed 14 years of exile in forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. People welcomed him by lighting the city with lamplights to remove the darkness of the night.

4. Fourth day of Divali celebrates Vishwakarma Puja (prayers) a day after Divali and is also associated with the buoyant custom of flying kites.

5a. Fifth day of Divali celebrates Bhai Dooj, dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan, brother’s day. Well this is sister’s day. ‘Dooj means the second day after the new moon, the day of the festival, and ‘Bhai means brother.

5b. Yamaraja, the Lord of Death, visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave Yamuna a boon that whoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins; they will achieve moksha, liberation. Brothers visit their sisters on this day to inquire about their welfare, and many faithful bathe in the Yamuna River.

1st Vishwakarma Temple in Europe in the UK, the Vishwakarma community is striving to build the first Vishwakarma Temple and a care home for the elderly and celebrate its ancient heritage, festivals and raise awareness for the holistic health-care and welfare for all, especially the elderly and disabled.