Vishwakarma is regarded as the supreme power according to Rig Veda, the very essence of excellence and quality in creation as the force with multi-dimensional vision and supreme strength. He is able to predict well in advance in which direction his creation will move.

The great Indian epic Mahabharata describes him as “the Lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the architect of the gods, the fashioner of all ornaments, the most eminent of artisans on whose craft men subsist, and as a great and immortal god.” The jewelry worn by the god’s and their consorts are all designed by Vishwakarma.

In the Brahmanas, Vishwakarma is identified with Prajapati himself as the creator of all things. Vishwakarma is a symbol of the beauty, aesthetic and philosophical perfection, as well as utility of any material construction, be it architecture, art or craft. He is the revealer of the science of design and manufacturing.

Creation
He is the manifestation of the creative power of the Supreme Being and designed the Triloka, the tripartite universe consisting of the heavenly realm and worlds (Swargaloka), the mortal realm and worlds (Mrityuloka) and the Netherworldly realm and worlds (Patalloka) at the behest of Bhagwan Brahma. His creations include the palaces of Yama and Indra as well as the underwater dwelling of Varuna the god of oceans and under-water world.

Vishwakarma is also credited for creating various missiles, including the sacred weapons for:
 Goddess Durga’s – omnipotent Axe
 Lord Indra – (god of heavens) – Vajra (a parallel of Zeus’s thunderbolts),
 Kartikeya’s (commander in chief of the army of devas) – Lance,
 Bhagwan Vishnu’s – Sudarshana Chakra,
 Bhagwan Shiva’s – Trident,
 Lord Hanuman’s – Club.
He is also believed to have given divine attributes to each of the weapon he created, and the designer of all the flying chariots (Viman) of the gods. Vishwakarma as the celestial architect is the personification of creative action in the universe.

Amongst many of Vishwakarma’s architectural wonders we need to be reminded that not only though the concept of Triloka universe but even throughout the four yugas: Satyug, Treata, Dwapur and Kaliyug his consultation and contribution continues to have impact on creations of Indraprastha, Sone Ki Lanka (Golden Lanka), Hastinapur, and many other structures. Lord Krishna invited Vishwakarma to build his Dwarka. Legends tell us about the architectural marvel and beauty of Indraprastha. Floors of the palace were so well done that they had a reflection like that of water, and the pools and ponds inside the palace gave the illusion of a flat surface with no water in them.

Vishwakarma Jayanti
Like other gods Vishwakarma is also attributed an assumed birth day. This becomes conjectural according to many in the community. The more philosophical minded argue that it is impossible for the original creator of everything to be born on a particular day. Devotes of Vishwakarma invented the plough which represents both the artisian and the farming communities and therefore it became the representative symbol of the ancient Indian civilisation. It changed the course of human history altogether. So Indians in the past celebrated this day of many illustrious conjunctions as an occasion to honor Vishwakarma and his descendants

Puja
Vishwakarma Puja is a festival dedicated to Bhagvan Vishwakarma, who according to the Indian legends is the principal architect of the universe.
He is normally depicted holding a water pot, the Sthapatya Veda, a noose and craftsmen’s tool in each of his four hands.

He is highly regarded as the Divine Patron of All Skilled Workers and Professionals. He who revealed the mysteries of sciences to mankind and therefore, is revered as the supreme worker with excellence in craftsmanship. Vishwakarma, while representing the multiplicity of forms and forces in the material world, is also representative of the ultimate unity in the universe.

Vishwakarma Puja falls on Padyami, the first day of Kartika Masya, which is performed on the fourth day of Diwali, i.e. the day after Diwali. Vishwakarma divas (day) is when all craftsmen/women dedicate this day to their chief celestial architect by offering their puja (ardas/prayers).

Deepawali/Diwali festival celebrates Dhanteras. Also known as Dhantrayodashi and Dhanvantari Trayodashi. This festival marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations and that is why, it is considered the first day of five days long festivities of Diwali. The term ‘Dhanteras’ consists of two factors ‘dhan’, means wealth and ‘teras’, means thirteenth. Here thirteenth is meant to indicate the day ‘Trayodashi’, i.e. the thirteenth day of the month on which Dhanteras falls.

The first day of Diwali is Dhanvantari Trayodasi, when Lord Dhanvantari appeared, delivering Ayurvedic medicine for mankind after churning of the ocean. At sunset, most Indians bathe and offer oil lamps along with Prasad (sanctified food) to Yamaraja, the Lord of Death, and pray for protection from untimely death.

Second day of Diwali celebrates Naraka Chaturdasi. On this day Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura and liberated the 16,000 princesses the demon held captive.

Third day of Diwali celebrates Lakshmi Puja. The consort of Bhagwan Vishnu, to receive blessings of wealth, prosperity, triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. Lord Ram returns to Ayodhaya, after defeating Ravan (King of Lanka) after having completed 14 years of exile in forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman.
People of Ayodhaya welcomed Lord Rama by lighting the city with clay lamps, lamplights and removed the dark night of Masya.

Fourth day of Diwali celebrates Padwa. Beginning of a New Year and Vishwakarma Jayanti or National Labour Day is celebrated a day after Diwali and is also associated with the buoyant custom of flying kites.

Fifth day of Diwali celebrates ‘Bhai Dooj’, dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan, brother’s day. Well this is sister’s day.
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.
From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to inquire about their welfare, and many faithful bathe in the holy waters of the Yamuna River.

The historical relevance related to Vishwakarma Day gains more weight as not only is Vishwakarma associated with creation but also with the manifestation of the sciences of industry to the humankind. The power of praying is to seek a better future, health and safety as well as safe working conditions and, above all, success in our skilled professions.

It’s because of this history that he is much revered by the devotees, more so by professionals like engineers, architects, artisans, craftsmen, engineers, weavers, mechanics, smiths, industrial and factory workers who make their living through their skills of craftsmanship.

And therefore on Vishwakarma Day, altars are set up inside the premises of industrial facilities and factories, where images of Bhagwan Vishwakarma are established and worshipped. The whole workforce, along with each employee’s and their family’s celebrating the act of Puja in unison. Even the tools, particular to each person’s relative field, are cleaned and aren’t used throughout the day.

After the Puja is performed and the ceremony is complete, Prasad (vegetarian blessed foods) is distributed. Vishwakarma Puja is also associated with the buoyant custom of flying kites.

Family
Bhagvan Vishwakarma is the father of five great Indian sages according to the Vedas, each of whom was master of his craft. Highly talented and versatile in their own fields, the sons of Vishwakarma were respectively:

Manu – master blacksmith, (Loha Shilpi)

Maya – master carpenter, (Daru Shilpi)

Thuvastha – master bronzesmith (Kamsya Shilpi)

Silpi – master mason/sculptor (Rathi Shilpi)

Vishwajnya – master goldsmith (Swarna Shilpi)

Each gave rise to the major artistic lineage in their respective fields, and artisans and craftsman of different faiths in India continue to identify themselves with Bhagvan Vishwakarma through his sons.

Heritage
In contemporary worship practice, Bhagvan Vishwakarma is a divine being without any temples dedicated specifically to him but universally accepted as the symbol of creativity. He gave rise to a Dhiman, Panchal and Ramgarhia communities from India, composed mainly of professional craftsman who trace their lineage to the original technocrat.

Orthodox members of the Vishwakarma lineage hold that the divine skill of their arts has been preserved within their lineage through hereditary laws, and continue to protect that knowledge. Viewing Bhagvan Vishwakarma as the ideal practitioner of the arts and a model to live up to, they engage in pursuit of perfection and beauty in their particular craft.

Nevertheless, any artist or craftsman, regardless of caste, is considered a descendent and a representative of the divine architect and highly regarded for recreating the work of their cherished master. Ram Setu made by the descendants of Bhagvan Vishwakarma, Nal and Neel with the support of Vanar Sena in the Epic Ramayana from India to Sri Lanka can be seen from space as observed by satellite images.

Indian artists and craftsman accept Vishwakarma as the founder of the various arts who endowed humans with the knowledge required for their work, and work to honor Ishwar through their labor (Kirit Karo). This spiritual association is very apparent in the arts and crafts of India, a relatively large portion of which are dedicated to the divine.

The number of temples and shrines dedicated to the various deities in the Sanatan Dharma far outnumber the palaces and forts of the mortal kings of India. The prevailing principle in India regards that only those crafts and architecture that honor God were worthy of attention and acclaim.

The Vishwakarma community have contributed greatly to Indian civilization and culture as temple and city builders, architects, engineers and extraordinary craftsman.

The great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore identifies Bhagvan Vishwakarma with the Supreme Soul. Quoting the Upanishads, Tagore says:

‘This deity who is manifesting himself in the activities of the universe always dwells in the heart of man as the supreme soul. Those who realize him through the immediate perception of the heart attain immortality’.