It’s the 17th of September, and like every year Vishwakarma Puja is being celebrated across the state. While others pujas are celebrated as per ‘tithi’, Vishwakarma Puja has a fixed date as per the Gregorian calendar. The day also marks the advent of autumn and the start of the festive season.
Although this year’s celebration would be without the usual fanfare owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, people across Guwahati can be seen cleaning their vehicles, performing the rituals, and thronging the Vishwakarma Temple.
But did you know that there aren’t many temples dedicated to the Hindu God associated with architecture and engineering, Lord Vishwakarma. In India, there are just a few Vishwakarma Temples, but it might surprise you that probably the oldest in the country and the only one in northeast India is located in Guwahati.
This Vishwakarma Temple is located at the foothill of the Nilachal Hill or the Kamakhya Hill. It was established in 1965, constructed sometime between 1959 and 1960 alongside the first motorable road to Kamakhya temple.
As per information, as portions of the foothill of the holy Kamakhya Hill had to be blasted during the construction of the road, the residents proposed the establishment of the idol in order to please the angry Gods.
The temple was constructed by Late Mahabir Prasad Dhirasaria, one of the three contractors of the road, and the land was donated by Late Pt. Bhabakanta Sharma.
On the day of Vishwakarma Puja, hundreds of devotees throng the temple seeking blessings. The temple also regularly sees devotees from across the country.
However, this year the celebrations are minimal, and only a limited few are allowed, that too with complete COVID-19 protocol.
The exact location of the temple is Mahapurush Damodardev Path, Kamakhaya Gate, Nursery, Guwahati, Assam 781009.
