Vishwakarma The Divine Architect

Vishwakarma is the divine architect of the whole universe and is normally shown as white coloured. He normally has four hands carrying a water-pot, a book and a noose. He may hold craftsmen’s tools in one of his hands or they may be shown placed near his seat. He has a club in his right hand, wears a crown, a necklace of gold, rings on his wrists and holds tools in his left hand.

All the flying chariots of the gods, their weapons, etc. were his creations. He built the city of Lanka for Ravana, and Dwaraka, the city associated with Krishna. It was he who revealed the science of mechanics and architecture (Satapatya Veda). According to Satpatha Brahmana, he performed a yagna in which he offered all creatures including himself, as sacrifice, to elucidate the cyclic proccss of destruction and renewal of all cosmic life and matter.

His daughter Sanjana was married to Surya, the Sun god.

Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen. Implements of the trade such as lathe machines, chisels etc. are worshipped when the Sun enters the Bhadrapada constellation. Jaipur has an industrial area named after him, and so are thousands of machining and mechanical shops all over the country.