Narasimha Jayanti is the day when Hindus celebrate the birth anniversary of Narasimha, the 4th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha is the fiercest avatar of Vishnu. He had taken this avatar to destroy evil forces. On this day, Vishnu appeared in the form of a half-lion and half-man creature to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu. This auspicious Hindu festival is observed on Vaisakha Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi. Many devotees also observe a vrat or fast on this day.

Mythology behind Narasimha Jayanthi

There was a demon called Hiranyakashipu who became invincible due to a boon from Brahma, and declared himself God. He took control of all the 3 worlds and began to torment everyone. He also forced people to worship him as God and forbade them from worshipping Vishnu, who had killed his brother, Hiranyaksha. No one could do anything against him, for due to his penance, he had obtained a boon that neither man nor animal could kill him. Neither could he be killed by any weapons, nor during the day or the night.

In his kingdom, only one person disobeyed Hiranyakashipu’s diktat forbidding the worship of Lord Vishnu. And, that was Prahlad, his son. He was only 8 years old, and he was a great devotee of Vishnu.

The demon tried to kill his son several times and in many ingenious ways, but each time, Vishnu saved Prahlada. One day, when Prahlada said that Vishnu was omnipresent, Hiranyakashipu became angry and struck a pillar in his palace, asking if Vishnu was in the pillar, too. To his shock, a fearsome creature which was hald-man and half-lion, emerged from the pillar and grabbed him. It was Vishnu himself as Narasimha. Narasimha took the demon to the threshold, placed him on his lap, and killed him with his sharp claws. It was twilight, neither day nor night. In this manner, Vishnu killed him, circumventing the boon Hiranyakashipu had received from Brahma.

Significance of Narasimha Jayanthi

The time when Lord Narasimha came down to Earth to destroy evil is believed to be highly auspicious. Observing a vrat on Narasimha Jayanti day can bestow many benefits. They include: 

Good health and removal of health problems

Protects us from danger, evil, and ghosts

Brings spiritual progress and salvation

Bestows Siddhi and enlightenment

Protects from enemies

Victory in court cases

Spiritual motivation of children

It gives good income

Good for family welfare and peace

Brings success and prosperity in life

On this special day, the Moon will be in Swati Nakshatra, which is ruled by Rahu, and in the sign, Libra, which Venus rules. Venus is the day lord too. Venus will be in the Taurus sign. Venus receives an aspect from Mars and Saturn. Rahu, the star lord, also receives aspects from Saturn. Venus shares the sign with the Sun, and Rahu is with Jupiter. Saturn also aspects these planets. So the energies of all the planets are present on this day. It is a good day for attaining spiritual and materialistic goals.

Swati Nakshatra carries wind energy, which has free movement. So this day will enable you to gain freedom and move freely and also fulfill your wishes. This is an intellectual star, and it can remove psychological blocks that prevent you from achieving worldly success.  

This is a good day to get rid of negative traits like ego, jealousy, obstinacy, etc. Such traits prevent you from moving forward in your life.

Rituals & Pooja Vidhi

Get up early in the morning and bathe.

Wear new or fresh clothes.

Observe vrat and visit temples.

Perform Pooja for Narasimha and Goddess Laxmi.

Consume only light food and break the vrat on the next day, after performing Visarjan Pooja and giving daan to a Brahmin.

Avoid all grains and cereals when fasting.

It is very auspicious if the festival is on a Saturday and the Nakshatra is Swathi.

Worship Narasimha during the evening on Vishaka Shukla Chaturdashi, as Narasimha appeared during the evening.

Offer jaggery and gram sprouts as Naivedhya.

Read the Narasimha avatar story in the Bhagavata Purana.

Donate to the poor and needy for good karma.

Narasimha Mantra

Offer flowers and fruits to Narasimha and chant the Mantra below to get his blessings. Chant the Mantra twenty-one times.
Sri Narasimha Jaya Narasimha Jaya Jaya Narasimha