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The Vishwakarma (or Viśvákarma) caste, known within the group as the Vishwa Brahmins is an Indian caste of priests, teachers, engineers, architects, sculptors, temple builders and artists.All marvellous and beautiful buildings including temples , idols , palaces , Monuments , forts etc etc are the wonderful creations of this blessed community.

It includes five sub-castes: carpenters, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, goldsmiths and sculptors or sthapathi. They identify themselves with the pancha jana ("five peoples") of the legendary Vedic period: Rathakara, Karmakara, Thakshaka, Kumbhakara, and NishadaSthapathies) and worship various forms of Viswakarma. The caste is associated with the placing of the holy sacrificial fire in the yajna kunda.Vishwa Brahmin, Vishwakarma, Tarkhan

Origin

According to traditional belief, Vishwakarma are descended from five sons of lord Vishwakarma: Manu, Maya, Twashtha, Silpi, and Vishwajnya. The community is spread widely throughout India and played a vital role in the village economy. Their socioeconomic status varied from a very high level to the low level in different parts of India, as they earned high wages in towns because of their factory employment and low wages in villages. About Vishwabrahmins, Ananda K. Coomaraswamy says "the Kammalar (i.e. Panchal) were known as Vishwa or Dev Brahmana. They spread gradually towards the south and then reached Ceylon, Burma & Java. The Vishwabrahmins claim to have been the spiritual guides and priests and their position in the society survives in the saying the 'Vishwabrahmana is guru to the world'". They also perform priestly rites in connection with consecration of images. They both claim and possess various special privileges, which they always upheld with much vigour, He also mentions "throughout the rest of ceremony all priest officers had been performed by the craftsman themselves acting as Brahman priest". Dr. Krishna Rao says, "The most highly organized & efficient of the industrial classes was Virpanchal comprising Goldsmiths, coiner blacksmiths, carpenters and masons. In the finest period of Indian art, particularly between eighth and ninth century, they claimed and enjoyed a social status in the community, equal to Brahmans. The art of engraving & sculpture had attained a high stage of development. It was exclusively cultivated by Panchals who wore sacred thread & considered themselves as Vishwakarma Brahmans. The craftsman being deeply versed in national epic literature always figured in the history of India as missionaries of civilization, culture & religion. The intellectual influence being creative & not merely assimilative was at least as great as that of the priest and the author". Panchal are known as the missionaries of civilization, culture and religion because they spread the Hindu religion to the whole world through their art, which included stone and ceramics, musical instruments, religious statuary, and metal-work. Ernest B. Havell says, “The northern quarter of (Patliputra) was assigned to Brahmans and certain of the higher craftsman such as the armorers, ironsmiths and workers in precious stones. The association of skilled craftsmen with the Brahman and the Kshatriya castes is additional evidence that craftsmanship did not hold an inferior status in Indo Aryan society." The stapathi or master builder is described in the Shilpa Shastra as officiating at religious ceremonies which preceded the laying out of the Indo Aryan town or village and some of the metal workers and carpenters of the south of India still retains as their caste indication the name Acharya which denotes a teacher of religion. The Vedic lineage made them to create their own priesthood within their community. They wear five layer sacred thread while engage in creative works (yajna) and at time of marriage and funeral. However because of Chathurvarnya in the medieval period, their social status which was previously equal to that of the Brahmins had gone down. Brahmin political manoeuvrings diminished the social status of the Vishwakarma, though they fought against this Brahmin superiority.

Rishis and gotras

Vishvakarma created five prajapathies — from his five faces such as sadyojatham, vamadevam, akhoram, isanam, oordham . They are Manu, Maya, Twosta, Silpy, Viswajna and their respective Rishis (gotras) are,

• Sanaga Brahma Rishi
• Sanaathana Brahma Rishi
• Abhuvanasa Brahma Rishi
• Prathnasa Brahma Rishi
• Suparnasa Brahma Rishi

Vishwakarma acharya are divided into five gotras (or clans); each rishi's name is mentioned in the Yajurveda(4.3.3).  

In later puranas he is sometimes identified with vedic Tvastr. Silpi Vishwakarma is the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons and divine attributes. Vishwakarma/Tvostar is also credited with creating the missiles used in the mythological era, including the Vajra, the sacred weapon of Lord Indra, from the bones of sage Dadhichi. He is regarded as the supreme worker, the very essence of excellence and quality in craftsmanship. In Mahabharata and Harivamsa, Viswakarma is the son of Vasu Prabhasa and Yoga-siddha. The Mahabharata describes him as "The Lord of the Arts, Executor of a thousand Handicrafts, the Carpenter of the Gods, the most eminent of Artisans, the Fashioner of all ornaments ... and a great architect God..." In paintings he wears a crown and a large amount of gold jewelry and holds a water-pot, a book, a noose, and craftsman's tools in his hands. In some other Puranas he is the father of Barhishmatî and Samjna. The Ramayana represents him as having built the island-city of Lanka for the Shiva, and as having generated the ape Nala, who made Rama's bridge from the continent to the island.

Subdivisions

The caste consists of five sub-castes: carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, brass smiths, and goldsmiths.

Panchal Movement to Reclaim Brahminical Right

"Panchals have the Brahmanic sanskars, or sacraments, and perform their ceremonies according to the Vedic Ritual. Frequent attempts were made in the days preceding British rule to deny them the rights to these Brahmanic privileges; but when the decision of pandits, or religious advisers when referred to, was in their favor." - James Hastings Though the Panchals, also known as VishwaBrahmins, held great importance in olden times, some Brahmins refused to accept Panchals as being Brahmins. This refusal led to a feud between the two groups. During Peshwa Brahminical rule, the Panchals suffered much. The Panchals were not even allowed to tie the dhoti - a cloth worn between legs and around the waist - a mark of Brahminical rank. The Peshwas belonged to the Chitpavan Brahmin caste and were actually late migrants to India, having arrived from the Middle East and Central Asia. The Peshwas competed with the Panchals, who saw themselves as being the original Brahmins and first builders of the Aryan Vedic civilization. Nelson Hindu Law, Page 139-140 states - "The refusal of many castes in ancient times to accept the Brahmins as their pastors and masters would seem to have bred a hereditary feud between castes. The origin and history of the feud at present are wholly unknown but it seem to me to be not improbable that the feud sprang from rivalries and contentions between the supporters and adherents of Brahmins on one hand and those of the goldsmiths and other artificers on the other hand. In south of India the goldsmith’s appear to have strenuously resisted the aggressive supremacy of Brahmans and have, for ages, claimed for themselves the right to be priests and spiritual guides styling themselves as Acharyas (religious teacher) by wearing the sacred thread. Meharban, a British collector, in his book ‘Bombay Gazetteer’ states in Solapur Vol XX page 125: "Panchals are composed of five classes: goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters and masons. They consider themselves equals, if not superior, to the local Brahmins. Their family priests, who are members of their own community, are held in high respect. They gird their boys with the sacred thread at the age of seven to nine years. A feast called the Brahmins' feast or Brahma Bhojan is held where kith and kin and members of the caste are invited."

Distribution

Kerala

Vishwakarmas of Kerala are also known as Achary, Kammalar, or Viswa Brahmanar. They exist in Tamil in two communities: one Tamil (primarily in Travancore), one Malayali. They are classified into five sub-castes: Thachan/Marayasari/Tachu-āshāri (carpenters) Shilpi/Kallassari/Kalla-āshari (masons, sculptors, potters) Moosari/Mooshary (bronzesmiths) Kollān/Karuvan (blacksmiths) Thattan/Tattān (goldsmiths) A legendary carpenter of the Kerala Vishwakarma, Perunthachan, figures prominently in Kerala folklore. In Kerala, the Vishwakarma community is also known as Acharyar, Achary, Kammalar, or Viswa Brahmanar. They exist in Tamil in two communities: one Tamil (primarily in Travancore), one Malayali.

Tamil Nadu and Sree Lanka

Vishvabrahmins or Kamaalar or Aachari or Aasaari in Tamil Nadu form several occupational subdivisions. Assari, Swarna Shilpis (goldsmiths) (surnames Pathar, Assari, Arkachari/Arkachary,in some areas in Tamil Nadu, Srilanka, especially around Thanjavur, Kumbakonam in India and Mattakalapu (Batticalo), Nachimarkovil (Jaffna) in Sri Lanka. Kamsya Shilpis (silver and bronze smiths) Ayo Shilpis (ironsmiths) Daru Shilpis (carpenters) Rathi Shilpis (stonemasons) A number of prominent temples in Tamil Nadu were built by this community. Vishwabrahmins of Tamil Nadu engaged in Veda Adyayaana has shown their Vedic cognizance on numerous occasions. The Vishwakarma Peetham at Arunachalam, Thiruvannamalai dates back to 1500 years, and jagadguru sri. Adishivalinga acharya guruswamigal is the jagatguru for this peetham. In Tamil Nadu, Tamil achari or asari are known as 'Tamil Kammalars' They were goldsmith, and landlords..

Karnataka

The Vishwakarma caste of south Karnataka, who is composed of several sub-castes.

• Kulachars/ aachar
• Shiv achars/acharya
• Uttaradi goldsmiths
• Matachar founders
• Muddekammaras
• Doddamanes
• Chikkamanes

Most of these sub-castes do not intermarry and have a hierarchy among themselves. All the above sub caste is varied according to various regions of Karnataka. All the sub-castes worships the goddess Kali, they are very similar to Brahmins in their ritual practices but few of them are non-vegetarians..As some other Brahmin community eat Fish addressing it as "Jala Pushpam" (Flower from water).A small Sub-Caste in Koadgu called as Airi are also Vishwakarmas who came from Malabar region. Earlier they were goldsmiths, carpenters, blacksmiths and sculptors. They are non-vegetarians who follow customs and traditions of Kodagu. The very ancient (14th century) and famous Sri Kali Temple situated at Shirasangi in Belgaum distirct maintained by the Viswakarma Brahmin community. The Sankruthi Sahiti Prathishtana is a prominent organization from Karnataka working to bring the Vishwabrahmins back to a Vedic life style. G. Gnanananda, is running this organization and started Brahmshri shilpa gurukulam affiliated with Bangalore University at Chikballapur.

Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, Vishwakarmas are called Vishwabrahmins or Vishwakarma Brahmins. The Vishwakarmas, apart from the five traditional occupations, are also engaged in veda adhyanam. Many eminent Vishwakarma purohits have been felicitated by Government of Andhra Pradesh in honor of their excellence in the veda adhyayana. One of the oldest vedic schools of Andhra Pradesh, Yalavarti Anjaneya Shastri Veda Pathashala, in Tenali, founded in 1893, belongs to Vishwabrahmins and has produced thousands of vedic purohits and another vedic school, Patnala sanyasi rao Veda Pathashala, at Brahmam gari matham, Kadapa, has produced hundreds of vedic purohits by providing free food and accommodation. Vishwabrahmins craftsmanship can be seen in the temples like Kalahasthi, Tirupathi, Srisailam, Lepakshi, Amaravathi, Warangal 1000 pillars temple, Alampur, Arasavilli, Bhadrachalam and Ramappa temple. At Brahmam gari matham in Kadapa District, AP Sri Patnala Sanyasi Rao Garu constructed Navaratna Mandapam.Large numbers of Vishwabrahmin members are found in this state.

Madhya pradesh

Vishwakarma Brahmins have a large presence in Madhya Pradesh. When the British founded the defense industry during the World War, lakhs of Vishwakarma Brahmins took employment in these factories. There is a legend that during the 1857 Indian uprising, the English noticed that the Rani of Jhansi was provided with arms and ammunition by the Vishwakarmas, who had achieved excellence in this field. Therefore when the arms and ammunition factory and the gun carriage factory was started by the English at Jubbalpore, the Vishwakarms were the first to get employment in these factories.

Gujarat

Main article: Panchal Some of the profession practiced by Panchals and related last names are given below: Carpentry: Gurjar Sutar (aka Suthar). The common last names in use are Panchal, Suthar, Mistry, Wadia, Pitroda, Sanghadia, Gajjar, Soni, Prajapati, Vaishya, Pancholi Gold Smith : Soni Stone-smith: known as Kadia Blacksmith: known as Luhar with last names Panchal, Luhar, Sheth. Sompuras: Related with construction of temples, wood and stone carving, Panchals catered to the needs of chariots, horse carriages, furniture, home construction and agricultural equipment. The entrepreneurial Panchals developed designs and manufactured various parts, assemblies and sub-assemblies for cotton textile mills. They have been engaged in production of bobbins, shuttles, lattices, weaving looms and ancillary items of equipment for dyeing and bleaching, weaving looms, drilling rigs, water pumps, lathe machine, drilling machines and hand tools. With industrialization, Panchals adopted technical professions such as draughtsman, design engineer, architects, and shop floor and construction supervisors.

Maharashtra

Vishwakarmas are widely spread in Maharashtra as Lohar, Kasar, Sutar, Tambat, and Patharwat (stone-smiths).

Goa and Konkan

In the state of Goa and Konkan, Vishvakarmas are known as Charis who call themselves Vishwakarma Manu Maya Brahmins. Other artisan castes do not claim Vishvakarma status. Many artisans were converted and few immigrated during the Portuguese rule. Many who settled in Karnataka were temple builders and are called Gudigars. Others of the Shtapathis were converted and are now sometimes called Thavvayi in Konkani, which is a corrupted form of Sanskrit Sthapati.

Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, the Vishwakarmas are also known as Jangids and Suthar.

Bengal

Vishwakarmas in the state of Bengal have the last name of Kar or Karmakar.

Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Bihar

Vishwakarmas in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, ,] and Bihar have the surname of Vishwakarma, Panchal, Sharma, Mistry, Dhiman, Jangid, Taak, Kaushik, Lohar etc title. Panchal (ironsmith) and Mistry (house-builder) also known as Badhi or Badhai (carpenter).

Orissa

In the state of Orissa, Vishwakarma Brahmins have the following surnames: Moharana (this title used by all Viswakarmas), Mohapatra (only Mayas - Kastakars), Ojha (only Manu -Lauhakars)e.g. cricketer Pragyan Ojha, Sutar (only Maya -Kastakars), Sahu (Maya -Kastakars & Viswajna -Swarnkars), Parida (Maya -Kastakar and Manu -Lauhakars), Choudhry (Only Maya -Kastakars), Karamkar (Maya and Viswanja), Das (Maya -Kastakars), Bindhani/Achary (Maya -Kastakars), Badhei (Maya -Kastakars), Mistry (Maya -Kastakars & Manu -Lauhakars), Mishra (Maya-Kastakars), Subudhi (Maya -Kastakars) and Martha (Maya -Kastakars), Mishra, Senapati, Behera.

North India

In Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, the Vishwakarmas are also known as Vishwbrahmin.

Diet

Vishwakarmas in North and South India are strict vegetarians and practice complete abstinence from liquor and follow a strict vegetarian diet.

Notables

• Vishwakarma - engineer of Devas.
• Mamuni Mayan - engineer of Asuras, father of Mandodari.
• Bhogar - a Siddha who made the Muruga idol in Pazhani.
• Saint Visobha Khecher -(Guru of great Marathi saint Namadev).
• Saint Jalogi & Malogi Maharaj-(Two brother saint from Maharashtra).
• Saint Changdev-(Great saint from Maharashtra who believed to live for 1400 years).
• Saint Narahari Sonar-(Famous saint from Maharashtra, India).
• Saint Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swami-(AP, India. He is considered as Indian Nostradamous).
• Saint Sanari Viswaswara Swamy-(Ap.India.It is believed that from the past 100 years he is still in tapasya in Nallamala Hills, India).
• Saint Achalananda Yogi.
• Saint Bendapudi Swamula Varu( From Andhra Pradesh).
• Saint Eeswaramma Varu-( She is grand daughter of Veera Brahmam garu).
• Saint Tadakanapalle Ramayogi-( He is From Andhra pradesh).
• Saint Bodabonda Timmagurudu Govinda Swamy - ( He is from Andhra pradesh).
• Saint Shivarama Brahmendrula varu- (Great saint from AP).
• Saint Ramamadugu Brahmendra swamula Varu.
• Saint Mahayogi Yaganteeswara Swamy.
• Saint Cherukuri.Shivarama Brahmendra Swamula Varu.
• Saint Veeranarayanamma.
• Saint Rajupalem Sree Sree Balayogini Amma Varu.
• Saint Kommuri Balabrahma Ananda Dasu.
• Annamacharya - saint-poet who was an ardent devotee of Venkateswara, and wrote many songs about him.
• Adi Shankaracharya - As per Shankar Vijaya, Shankara sang I am a decendent of Twashter, ... I am a Brahmin of the Vishwakarma Caste.
• BrahmaSri Kandukuri Rudra Kavi - He is one of the Ashtadiggajas of Sree Krishnadevaraya dynasty. He has authored one of te great books of Telugu language NIRANKUSHOPAKHYANAM.
• Brahmasri Repaka Ekamabaracharyulu .
• Sunkoji Devendrachary - Legendary writer Currently in USA.
• Harshavardhana - (The fourth pillar of Buddhism - Harsha belonged to the Vaishya caste. In Bengal, Vishwakarmas are classified as Vaishya and have the surname Kar.)
• Bimal Kar - A well known Bengali writer and novelist and winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1975.
• Amarashilpi Jakanachari - A legendary sculptor credited with building many fine temples for the Kalyani Chalukyas and Hoysalas, including the famous sculptures at Belur and Halebidu.
• Bisu Maharana - (Vishwakarma Brahmins have Maharana as their last name in Orissa State. Bisu Maharana Is the prathana Shilpacharya of the world heritage temple KONARK).
• Ramappa Acharya - (Any one from telangana area of Andhra pradesh would have heard Ramappa. The Siva temple sculpted in 12th century is called as Ramappa temple).
• Shree Narayan Sonaodekar - (Famous artist who has created the statue of Swami Vivekananda at Kanya Kumari).
• Padmabhushan Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati - (A great living sage who is translating The Pranava Veda and has built the Thiruvalluvar Statue of kanyakumari).
• Gorasa Veera Brahma charylu - ( He is a living legend in AP author of MAYA VAASTHU book).
• Arasivilli Kameshwara charyulu - ( He is a well renowned vaasthu sidd

Books on history of Vishwabrahmins

• Roberts, A.E. (1909). Visvakarma and his descendants. Calcutta: All-India Vishvakarma Brahman Mahasabha.
• Dr. Gnanananda, G. (Ed.) (1981). Sri Visvakarmayaya bhushanam (Kannada) original by K.P. Dixit (1878). KGF: *Jnana Bhandara.Kashyapa Shilpa Shastram,Brahmeeya Chitra Karma Shastram.
• Sharma, A.S. (1989). Visvakarma Smaj ka sankshipt itihas (Short history of Vishvakarma Society). New Delhi: Visvakarma Institute of Research and Education.
• Chinmayacharya, K. (2002), Devudu Manavudu, East Godavari.: Ramesh Kumar, K.
• Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र In Marathi). It was written on Shake 1165 that is more than 700 years back & was published by B.S. Sutar (Igatpuri, Nasik 1906).
• Vaddepati Niranjana Shastry. Vishwakarma Brahmana Vamshagamamu. Lang.: Telugu.
• Swarna Subramanya Kavi. Vishwabrahmanulaku Prathama Satkara Arhatha. Lang.: Telugu.
• Phanidapu Prabhakara Sharma. Vishwabrahmana Gothra Gayathri. Lang.: Telugu.
• Bharatiya Viswakarmajar:Edava Somanathan:Analytical study of the Indus Valley Civilisation
• Vishwabramma Puranam: V.Kathiresan Achari: The history of Vishwabrahmins: Lang: Tamil
• V. N. Gajandran chennai Viswabrama vamsham,gothram,puranam lang Tamil
• "Pancha Manushya Moola Varga Njanam" Compiled in Malayalam by 'A.K.V.Suvarnakar' (A.K.Velayudhan),Kannankulangara, Thrissur 680007, Kerala

References

1. V. Annamalai Formation And Transformation Of Power In Rural India - 1996 Page 32 "They claim themselves to be desendants of five sons of Vishwakarma and hence style themselves as Viswa Brahmins.29 They have a caste association called Vishwakarma association. In the study area they are referred generally as 'Asaris'"- Page 72 "Like a few other castes, Hindu Asaris also have places of family deity which determines marriage alliances. Though locally they are called Asaris they come under the category of Kammalar Caste. The Hindu Asaris belong to Vishwakarma"
2. Sociological Bulletin -1993 Volume 42 - Page 90 "The Vishwakarma Caste: Occupations The survey of all GPs of the four fieldwork blocks registered the number of Vishwakarma households and their occupations. Of the 865 Vishwakarma households in the four blocks, on an average 93 per ..."
3. Ghurye, Govind Sadashiv (1950). Caste and class in India (Edition: 2 ed.). p. 53.
4. Nārāyaṇaśastri Kṣirasāgara. "Three". विश्वब्रह्मकुलोत्साह;Vishwabrahmakulotsah (in Marāṭhī). p. 37.
5. Macdonell, Arthur Anthony; Arthur Berriedale Keith. Vedic index of names and subjects. Volume 2. pp. 203, 204.
6. Derrett, John Duncan Martin. Essays in Classical and Modern Hindu Law: Dharmaśāstra and related ideas. pp. 45, 46.
7. Satish Saberwal Mobile Men: Limits to Social Change in Urban Punjab 1990 - Page 110 "22 This was perhaps one of the few caste mobility movements which took a more or less parallel course throughout the ... one of the Vishvakarma castes, to perform Brahminical ceremonies, or (ii) the relative caste status of "Viswa Brahmin," "
8. Kashyap, Rangasami Laksminarayana (2003). Kr̥ṣṇayajurvedīya Taittirīya-saṃhitā. ISBN 8179940055. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
9. ^ Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2007). Historical dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-0-8108-5379-9. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
10. Thurston, Edgar. Castes and tribes of Southern India,. Vol. Volume 3. pp. 126–129. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
11. Iyer, L. A. Krishna (1968). Social history of Kerala. Book Centre. p. 6. Retrieved 16 January 2012. The Kammalars are divided into two classes, the Tamil Kammalar and the Malayali Kammalar.
12. ^ Heesterman, J. C. "Goldsmiths of Karnataka". Ritual, state, and history in South Asia: essays in honour of J.C. Heesterman. M. S. Oort. pp. 442–455. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
13. Singh, Kumar Suresh. Rajasthan,. Vol. Volume 2. Dipak Kumar Samanta, Sushil Kumar Mandal, N. N. Vyas,. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 201. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
14. Meera Mukherjee (1978). Metalcraftsmen of India. Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India. pp. 60, 62, 124. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
15. Aashi Manohar; Shampa Shah (1996). Tribal arts and crafts of Madhya Pradesh. Mapin Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-944142-71-4. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
16. Journal of the Andhra Historical Society, Volumes 14-17\. Andhra Historical Research Society., 1953. p. 161. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)

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