The Sthapati of a temple who is called Visvakarma.
Monday, September 20, 2021 IST
The Sthapati of a temple who is called Visvakarma (in ‘Mayamata’) is the architect in charge, and foremost of the silpin (craftsmen).
Since in Hindu temple architecture the temple is built in the likeness of the Universe and is symbolic of it, the architect Visvakarman creates all that exists within the universe within a temple. In this regard Visvakarman is the working aspect of the Supreme Consciousness or the Vedic Brahman.
When he was cursed by Ghrtaci (an apsara) he was born in this world to a Brahmin woman. He became regarded as an unparalleled architect in all that he constructed, and was also considered as an unparalleled teacher of architecture.
Visvakarman had nine sons- Malakara ( Garland maker), Karmakars (blacksmith), Sankhakara (conch shell carver), Kuvindaka (weaver), Kumbhakara (potter), Kamsyaksra (metal worker), sutradhara (architect/carpenter), Chitrakara (painter), and Svarnakara (goldsmith).
Ref: Brahmavaivarta Purana.
(Pls note here that our Puranas give varying versions of our deities, so it is not surprising Vishwakarma will be represented differently in different Puranic stories too)
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