VISWAKARMA - DIVINE ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE

Vishwakarma or Vishvakarman (Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मा, romanized: Viśvakarmā, lit. 'all maker') is a craftsman deity & the divine architect of the gods in Hinduism.

Vishvakarman is the divine carpenter & master craftsman who fashioned the weapons of the gods & built their cities & chariots. As it is believed, Vishwakarma was the creator of Ravana’s gold palace called Lanka. He also designed & created Lord Krishna’s gold city called Dwarka. Another prominent creation is three worshipped figures of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra & Goddess Subhadra at the Jagannath temple. He revealed the sciences of architecture & mechanics to humans & is the patron deity of workers, artisans, & artists.

Vishvakarma's iconography varies drastically from one region to another, though all picture him with creation tools. In the most popular depiction, he is depicted as an aged and wise man, with four arms, has white beard & is accompanied by his vahana, hamsa (swan).

Art by P Venkatesh @grafitovisuals