Narasimha Jayanti: History | Importance | Puja and Tithi

Narasimha Jayanti is observed on the fourteenth day of the Shukla Paksha in Vaishakh month. This is an important Hindu festival. Lord Narasimha is the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that by attending Narasimha Homam on this day, one can attain supreme power. Narasimha Jayanti signifies the victory of good power over evil forces. Praying Lord Narasimha on this day blesses the devotees and Lord safeguards their devotees from any misfortune and legal matters.

History:

According to Hindu Scriptures, in ancient times there was a Saint called Kashyap, he had a wife Diti, and two sons Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. When Lord Vishnu's third incarnation Varaha killed Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashipu swore revenge. He performed tough penance to impress the creator, Lord Brahma. Pleased by his penance Lord Brahma appeared, Hiranyakashipu wished not to be killed under the following circumstances; neither inside his house nor outside, neither during day nor night, neither by an entity living or non-living not by any weapon, neither on the ground nor in the sky, neither by a Human nor by an animal, neither Deva nor Asura, nor any being created by Lord Brahma.
Lord Brahma granted the boon and Hiranyakashipu established his rule in heaven, with his forces and invincibility. 

All the Devas went to Lord Vishnu to get rid of Hiranyakashipu and Lord Vishnu promised that he will kill Hiranyakashipu. In the meantime, his wife Kyadhu gave birth to a son named, Prahalad, who grew devoted to Lord Vishnu, he used to tell the importance of the Lord's Devotion to Asura's kids. When Hiranyakashipu came to know about this he got angry and tried to distract Prahalad from Lord Narayana in various ways and make him a demon, but failed. Hiranyakashipu decided to kill such a son. He tried to kill him by elephant, fire, poison, snakes, and warriors but Prahalad was saved by worshipping Lord Vishnu on each attempt. 

Even his people started praying to Lord Vishnu. Frustrated, Hiranyakashipu asked Prahalad where is Lord Vishnu and he said Lord Vishnu is omnipresent. Hearing this Hiranyakashipu asked if his God resides in a pillar of his chamber and Prahalad said yes. Furious, Hiranyakashipu smashed the pillar with his mace and Lord Narasimha appeared before him, half man, half lion. Lord Narasimha dragged Hiranyakashipu to the doorway of the place and held him on his lap and ripped him apart with his nails during Twilight. By killing Hiranyakashipu, Narasimhadeva restored peace and harmony in the universe.

Importance:

Lord Narasimha is a fierce avatar and a significant iconic symbol of hope against all odds and victory over the bad. Lord Narasimha is worshipped in various forms in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Lord Narasimha is prayed in different parts of India and is known by many different names, such as Narasimba, Nrisingha, Narasinghar, Narsingh, Agnilochana, and Bhairavadambara. People who worship Lord Narasimha are blessed with courage, prosperity, and abundance.

Puja and Tithi:

Worshippers wake up early in the morning and take a bath and wear clean clothes. Some people also take a dip in a sacred river. Worshippers pray to Lord Narasimha and Goddess Lakshmi and offer aarti with full devotion and sincerity. Devotees offer saffron, coconut, fruits, flowers, diyas, and incense sticks. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Narasimha appeared in the evening therefore people who keep fast on this day should break their fast after performing prayer and aarti in the evening, and refrain from eating grain or cereal during fast. Narasimha Jayanti fasting relieves a person from all his problems. 

This year Narasimha Jayanti 2023, will be celebrated on 4th May. The tithi will begin at 11:49 pm on May 3, 2023, and will end at 11:44 pm on May 04, 2023.