Vishwakarma Puja usually falls on 17 September: worship of the divine architect in factories and workshops, tools and machines, and kite flying over Kolkata.
An idol of Vishwakarma, the divine architect, at a Vishwakarma Puja. Photo: AjayDas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
In Hindu tradition Vishwakarma is the craftsman of the gods. Myths and epics credit him with building palaces and cities for the gods, and with forging divine weapons and chariots.
An idol of Vishwakarma, the divine architect, at a Vishwakarma Puja. Photo: AjayDas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Most Bengali festivals follow the lunar calendar and move around the Gregorian calendar from year to year.
An idol of Vishwakarma, the divine architect, at a Vishwakarma Puja. Photo: AjayDas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Vishwakarma Puja is, above all, a workplace festival.
An idol of Vishwakarma, the divine architect, at a Vishwakarma Puja. Photo: AjayDas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
The most visible custom in Kolkata is kite flying (ghuri orano). From morning, rooftops in many neighbourhoods are crowded with families and friends flying paper kites, and the sky fills with colour.
Night crowds on the pandal trail in Behala. Photo: Snehangshu36, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
After Vishwakarma Puja, the countdown to the Pujas begins in earnest. Mahalaya, which opens Devi Paksha, falls on Saturday 10 October in 2026, and Durga Puja runs to Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
Tarpan on Mahalaya: offering water, til and kusha grass to the ancestors at the Ganga. Photo: Goutam1962, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Vishwakarma Puja usually falls on 17 September: worship of the divine architect in factories and workshops, tools and machines, and kite flying over Kolkata.
Vishwakarma Puja → Next story: Navratri and Dussehra across India: a guide to how every community celebrates All photo storiesMusic: Tomay hriday majhe rakhbo chere debo na - Baul Song Performance - Tarun Khyapa and Ananda Khyapa with Group - Saturday Haat - Sonajhuri - Birbhum 2014-06-28 5315, Gangulybiswarup, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.