Vishwakarma Pooja

We woke yesterday morning to find our neighbor the taxi driver decorating his cab.

Margaret called from the balcony and was advised to come down once the decoration was completed. We learned it was the holiday of Vishnakarma Pooja. 20% of Bhutanese are Hindu and it appears that nearly every construction worker in Thimphu is Indian and follows the Hindu religion. Celebrations take place throughout the city.

Thimpu is exploding in growth. Everywhere you look, new construction is going up and older buildings are being rehabbed for modernization and earthquake protection. Indian laborers toil from dusk to dawn with the most primitive of tools. Vishwakarma Puja is one day for them to take off and to celebrate. Rather than use their tools, they set them aside and worship them. It’s also a day to party and party hard.

Vishwakarma is considered by Hindus to be the creator of the world, the divine architect and swayambhu, which means created by one’s own accord or self-existent.

Vishwakarma is referred to as the divine carpenter, and this day is celebrated with much fervour by the communities of factory workers, architects, labourers, craftsmen, mechanics, among other skilled labourers. In fact the workplaces and factories of such skilled labourers are also adorned with pictures and idols of Vishwakarma.

On this day the craftsmen worship their tools and don’t use them, they pray to Vishwakarma for success in their fields. They also take the day off and lunches are organized for them. Idols and statues of Vishwakarma are made especially for this day, and devotees gather around and perform the puja.

Every major construction site has it’s own shrine and the worshipers party through the day and night, Indian music blaring from loud speakers often purchased that day for the occasion.

We had started out after work with the innocent intent of going to the post office, but a centerpiece of the celebration is generosity. We were invited in to eat, dance and party at several pujas along the way, always with other, non-Indian guests coming and going. Reluctant to decline our hosts’ invitation, we ate paratha, rice pudding, unknown sweet crispy things and apples. After an unpleasant morning, I am afraid I will have to decline next time.

But, all in all, it was well worth the experience.

In parting: