Bishwakarma Puja

On Vadra sakranti i.e. in the month of August, Bishwakarma Puja is celebrated by Hindus with great fun, frolic and enthusiasm.

Bishwakarma is the renowned artisan of Gods. He is the son of Pravash and Yogshiddha. Bishwakarma is also known as Tawasta. He designed and modelled all the airplanes, weapons and implements of Gods.

The sastras authenticate the belief that it was Bishwakarma who constructed Swarnapuri of Lanka, Dwarika Dham, Statue of Lord Jaganath, Community Hall of Pandavas, etc. and also endorse the belief that the canals with which the Setu of Rameshwar has been constructed have all originated from his body.

On the day of Bishwakarma puja, Hindus, specially all those associated and concerned with different crafts and vocations based on metal, such as industry, workshop, transportation, etc. pay ovation and offer puja to Lord Bishwakarma with much reverence and sacrement.

As a mark of respect to Lord Bishwakarma the employees and workers avoid the use of implements and machinery on that day

Bar-Pipal Puja

Hindus attach great importance to plants like Tulshi, pipal, amla, beel, etc. Even Artharva Veda describes pipal as “Ashwatwa deoshadan”, meaning the home of God. Shri Krishna in Shrimadvagawat Gita, had said that he is Pipal among the trees. Lord Buddha also meditated under a pipal tree and achieved enlightenment. The medicines prepared from pipal for curing infertility in women are available in Ayurvedic treatment.

Similarly, another tree bur has great importance in Hinduism. That is why, conjugating bur and pipal and erecting a resting bench under these trees is still prevalent in Hindu tradition. Who has not enjoyed the cool and soothing shadow of barh-pipal? The bard has all praises in his songs for the pleasant shadow of these useful trees.

Our wise ancestors understood and knew that these trees are useful and important in purifying air, in preparing medicines and in providing fresh and soothing shadow to a tired and weary traveller. They also knew that these plants provided life giving fresh air to humanity, that is why, they made planting and preserving Bur-pipal customary and accorded them ample religious importance so that these eco and social friendly trees survived the ravages of time. Considering the above factors it has become obligatory on all Hindus to preserve this custom through all ages and times.

So revered are the pipal trees that the Hindus believe that they would enjoy a healthy life and all their wishes would be fulfilled if they go round a pipal tree 108 times after watering it on every saturday for 108 weeks.

Sastras say that women get blessings if they prayed staying over night under a bur tree on a new moon day in the month of Jesta i.e. in the month of May -June and make offerings of fruits, flowers, haledo, potay to Sabitri the Goddess of fidelity .

There cannot be a second decision in considering our ancestors as scientific and wise, who knew that life existed not only in moving animals but also in immovable plants. Only now the scientists have realized the value of trees and are proclaiming their importance and the neccesity to preserve them.