All state government offices, factories and plants, both public and private, are closed and the print media offices were shut in Jharkhand.

All of them and their staff were celebrating Vishvakarma Puja (Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मापूजा). Even cars, scooters, and motorcycles were washed and flowers placed on them to mark the Vishwakarma god, the architect of the gods across the state.

Vishwakarma puja falls on the date of Kanya Sankranti of the Hindu calendar. It is generally celebrated every year between 16 and 18 September,according to the Gregorian calendar, the last few days of the Hindu Bhadra month.

God Vishvakarma is considered to be the divine architect of the universe and the personification of divine creativity in the Rigveda. He is credited with the construction of the city of Dvaraka for Krishna, the palace of Indraprastha for the Pandavas, and many fabulous iron weapons for the gods, such as the Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu, the trishula of Shiva, and the lance of Kartikeya. 

Vishwakarma god, is also regarded as having authored the Sthapatya Veda, the science of mechanics and architecture. He is regarded as the patron deity of all craftsmen, with implements of trade often venerated in his honour on the occasion of Vishvakarma Puja.

The festival is observed primarily in factories and industrial areas, often on the shop floor. The day is marked by artisans, craftsmen, mechanics, smiths, welders, industrial workers, factory workers, engineers, architects, and other workers. Adherents pray for a better future, safe working conditions and, above all, success in their respective fields. Workers also pray for the smooth functioning of various machines. 

The workers associate their workmanship with the concept of shakti (power), and sometimes see themselves as the children of Vishvakarma.[8] Shrines for the deity are constructed in parts of the workspace for the veneration of tools and machines associated with the line of work.[9] Prasada is often distributed among the workers after offering veneration to the deity for his grace.

The festival is also celebrated in Nepal.

Incidentally, the day Vishwakarma festival falls in Jharkhand, the people in Meghalaya celebrate the day in honour of the founding of the Unitarian Church in 1887 by Hajjom Kissor Singh. 

This year (2025) marks the 128th anniversary of the birth of Khasi Unitarianism which is celebrated by gatherings and special services to commemorate the church's legacy.
 

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