What is Chaitra Vishwakarma Puja?
Chaitra Vishwakarma Pooja or Vishwakarma Pooja is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Vishwakarma. He is regarded as the architect and the craftsman of the Gods. He is the son of Lord Brahma. He is the one who created this universe and supposedly he built several palaces, weapons, artilleries, space crafts, etc., which evoked awe and wonder for their ingenuity and perfection. Vishwakarma Pooja is generally celebrated every year in the month of September. This festival is highly revered in places like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Tripura. In some places, Vishwakarma Pooja is also celebrated a day after Diwali, along with Govardhan Puja in October-November.
The Significance of Chaitra Vishwakarma Puja:
Lord Vishwakarma is highly revered by the masons’ community and people like engineers, factory workers and people who handle multiple tools worship him for divine guidance. He is believed to have composed the Sthapatya Veda, which is the science of mechanics and architecture. The festival is annually celebrated during Kanya Sankranti when Surya Dev or Sun leaves Leo zodiac sign and enters Virgo.
The Mythology Behind Chaitra Vishwakarma Puja:
Lord Vishwakarma’s works are highly revered by the texts of Sthapatyaveda or Shilpa Veda, which is found in Atharva Veda. Lord Vishwakarma’s architecture has been utilized by many Gods, demigods, and Kings, and has proved incomparable in terms of design capabilities and functionalities. Some of his works include the Maya Sabha of the Pandavas, Krishna’s Dwarka and various other temples and palaces built for Lord Krishna, as well as divine weapons including Lord Shiva’s Trident and Indra’s Vajra Thunderbolt. It is also believed that Lord Vishwakarma emerged during the churning of the milky ocean (samudra manthan).
Rituals of Chaitra Vishwakarma Puja:
On this auspicious day, factory workers and industrial employees pray for safe working conditions and success. Poojas will be performed in their workplaces. For the pooja, an idol of Lord Vishwakarma is placed at every factory or workplace in colorful, decorated pandals. The tools and equipment are worshipped while chanting lord Vishwakarma’s name and holy hymns. After this, the tools and equipment are kept aside only to be used the next day.
Benefits of celebrating Chaitra Vishwakarma Puja:
Having respect for one’s occupation helps us to show more concentration and carry out our duties sincerely. Sanathana Dharma always focuses on doing one’s duty as the highest form of prayer. People who have to use tools as part of their work worship Lord Vishwakarma in order to do their work with perfection.
