Festivals and celebrations are at its very best in Kolkata (Calcutta). The pulse start beating from the sound of ‘Bho-o-Katta-aa’ on the occasion of ‘Biswakarma Pujo’. The festival of the God of Architecture, Biswakarma, the Divine Architect, is celebrated in September by industrial houses, artists, craftsmen, and weavers. Artisans clean their tools and repaint old machines. The day is also one for flying Kites. The sky fills up with all shades and colours. Chadials, Mombattis, Chowrangees, Petkattas, Mayurpankhis, Baggas fly high to establish the skills of the fliers. The sky becomes a war zone with the discarded kites dropping every now and then with the cry of ‘Bho-o-Katta-aa’ from the distant roofs or parks.

Biswakarma is the divine architect of the whole universe and is personification of the creative power that wields heaven and earth together. He has four hands, carrying a water-pot, a book, a noose and craftsman’s tools. All the divine weapons, chariots, etc. possessed by gods are his creation. He is also the chief architect and builder of Lanka, Dwarka and Yampuri. According to mythology it is he who created the entire universe as well as the heaven and the earth. Bishwakarma is also credited for creating various weapons used in the mythological era, including the Vajra the sacred weapon of Lord Indra, from the bones of sage Dadhichi. His daughter Sanjana was married to Surya (Sun-God) and Saranya to Vaivaswat Manu. Mythology says that it was Biswakarma who crafted the entire universe, and that is why he is regarded as the supreme worker, the very essence of excellence and quality in craftsmanship. He revealed the sciences of industry to man and is the patron deity of all those who are engaged in productive enterprises.

Idols of Lord Bishwakarma

Biswakarma Puja is celebrated with full enthusiasm in the month of September every year. Biswakarma Puja is observed mostly in workshops and factories in industrial areas. Shop floors in various factories wear a festive look on this occasion. In beautifully decorated pandals the image of Biswakarma and his faithful elephant are inaugurated and worshipped. The industrial belts in Howrah come alive with decorative pandals and loudspeakers. Most factories in this area declare the annual bonus on this day. The puja pandals are usually made within the factory premises. On this day family members of the employees come together to create a bright moment in an otherwise dull and mundane workshop. The entire factory workforce sits together for lunch, which is the usual ‘khichuri bhog’.

A boy watches passers-by while holding a kite in Kolkata. Kite-flying competitions are held in Kolkata every year to mark the annual Vishwakarma Puja.

Biswakarma puja is associated with an another unique ritual. It is the day of flying kites. Infact the entire Kolkata (Calcutta) skyline comes alive with the vibrant colors of decorative kites. Men of all ages gather on rooftops, which is perhaps the only open space in the city, and start a unique warfare of cutting each other’s lines. The competition gathers momentum by midday with the entire family gathering on the rooftop. Local clubs arrange kite-flying competitions, wherein even senior people participate with full vigour. The preparation for this grand day starts weeks ahead, with several small shops opening up selling kites and specially prepared threads with ‘manja’ (ground glass applied to the thread with glue), the cutting edge for the competition. Kids are to be seen on the streets discussing issues relating to this grand occasion. Often a lone kite is spotted drifting away with a trail of children chasing the kite - who catches it first?

Kite flying starts at dawn and continues without a pause throughout the day. Friends, neighbours, and strangers battle one another for supremacy and cries of triumph rend the air when someone cuts the line of a rival. A tremendous variety of kites are seen and the connoisseur can choose precisely what he wants. Experts specially prepare even the lines with which the kites are flown before the great day. Special mixtures of glue and ground glass cover the lines, which are dried and rolled onto reels. So sharp are these lines that, carelessly used, they can cut a finger. The excitement does not end with nightfall, which is the time for illuminated box kites, often in a series strung on one line, to be launched into the sky.

Two children attempt to fly kites at Kolkata’s Maidan

The immersion process takes place on the second day of the puja. This is accompanied by the usual pomp and glory with a procession to the banks of ‘Ganga’ (river Ganges). Biswakarma puja in a way marks the starting of the festive season that continues till Kali Puja (Diwali). The shopping spree of Durga Puja manifests itself with people thronging the markets. With ‘Sarodotsab’ barely a fortnight away Biswakarma Puja breaks away the humdrum of city life and the countdown to Durga Puja begins. The pulse start beating from the sound of ‘Bho-o-Katta’ on the occasion of ‘Biswakarma Pujo’. And Bengalees start counting for ‘Devi Bandana’. Then comes the ‘Agamani’ - Mahalaya and Bengalee’s mood and hearts are on for the festival of the year.