Vishwakarma Jayanti is a day to honour the equipment used in various works so that they continue to be the means of living for those using them. Vishwakarma Puja was observed in all industrial units, schools and offices of the district on Monday remembering him, who is also considered to be the first engineer in the universe.
It is said that Vishwakarma is the architect and engineer of the abodes of Gods-Indrapuri, Yampuri, Varunpuri, Kuberpuri, Pandavpuri and others. The vehicles and articles used by the ‘Devas’ like Pushpak Viman was also made by Vishwakarma. Apart from this the earrings worn by the rain God Indra, the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu, trident of Shiva were also crafted by the hands of Vishwakarma. He is hailed as the maker of ‘Maya Nagri Dwarika’ in present day Gujarat where Lord Krishna ruled.
Not only in the sphere of deities but also for humans as well there is a tradition of worshipping the tools and instruments with which one works. Vishwakarma Jayanti was celebrated in the industrial manufacturing units and factories of SIIDCUL and Haridwar industrial area. The engineers and workers organised worship of their tools, conducted yagya and decorated their work areas with wall hangings and paper craft material.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Arun Saraswat, owner of an enterprise said, “Our workforce in the administration and information technology sections worshipped their pens and computers while the shop floor staff made offerings before their machining tools and other spare parts. The machine operators offered incense sticks to the heavy machineries seeking blessings from the deity for safe handling of equipment.”
Artisans, weavers, craftsmen and industrial houses also performed the rituals. Telling the significance of the day, city based astrologer Prateek Mishrapuri said, “According to mythology Lord Vishwakarma created the entire universe, heaven and earth.
He is credited for creating weapons and tools used by the deities. He is picturised as having four hands, carrying a book, a water pot, a noose and craftsman’s tools.”
At Vishwakarma Ghat of Ganga canal on the national highway opposite to Yadav Dharamshala, pilgrims coming from other cities for a holy dip also performed the worship of the deity’s idol mounted on a platform.
A worker from an automobile industry in SIIDCUL said, “I prayed with my colleagues for safe working conditions, better future and smooth operation of fast functioning machines which if accidentally mishandled can lead to injuries and even death of a person.”
Notably, reference of Vishwakarma also comes in the Vedas especially Rig Veda and is credited with Sthapatya Veda, the science of mechanics and architecture.
