Significance of Narasimha Jayanti

Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated as an important Hindu festival observed on the fourteenth day of the Shukla Paksha in Vaishakh month. Devotees are dedicating the Narasimha Jayanthi to Lord Vishnu in the fourth avatar or incarnation `Narasimha". According to Hindu belief, it was on the dusk of this day, Lord Narasimha killed the evil Hiranyakashipu. The pooja is practising on the day of Narasimha Jayanthi at the evening time. As stated in Hindu mythology, Sage Kashyap and his wife Diti had two sons namely Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. To save the earth from wickedness, Lord Vishnu was forced to kill Hiranyaksha. But that was a shock to Hiranyakashipu and decided to take revenge. Hiranyakashipu begins to penance to please Lord Brahma. He appeared in front of Hiranyakashipu and blessed him. And so on Hiranyakashipu started to rule all Lokas and also the heavens. His actions to rule al Lokas and heaven make all the Devas were helpless. At the same time, Kayadhu, wife of Hiranyakashipu gave birth to his son Prahlad. But his child was not similar to any demons. His misfortune takes that child totally devoted to Lord Narayana. Except for Prahlad, all others changed from devotion. Hiranyakashipu was forced to distract him from Lord Vishnu to make him a demon. But his son didn't accept that. At last, he decided to burn his son. While he was sitting over his sister Holika's lap, Hiranyakashipu burned him. Holika had the favour of God that she couldn't burn-in fire. He utilised that favour. But unlucky, Holika died due to the severe devotion of Prahlad to Lord Vishnu. Nothing happened to Prahlad. After that, the followers of Hiranyakashipu started to devotee Lord Vishnu. By seeing this too, he became very aggressive and both father and son started to debate with each other. He asked Prahlad about the existence of Lord Vishnu and challenged him to appear in front of him. But he replied that the Lord has resided in everything. Hiranyakashipu asked Prahlad about the presence of Lord Vishnu in the pillar. Prahlad agreed with his father's statement about the presence of God in the pillar. By listening to it, Hiranyakashipu smashed the pillar. Suddenly Lord Narasimha killed him by tearing his chest with his nails and blessed Prahlad by saying that one who would practise fasting on that day will retrieve from all the problems. The death of Hiranyakashipu symbolises the victory of good over evil. Because Narasimha is the representation of power and victory. During the day of Narasimha Jayanti, devotees observe special puja to Lord Narasimha and Goddess Lakshmi. For that, devotees wake up early in the morning and after bathing they are wearing new clothes. While conducting puja to God, they offer flowers, sweets, kumkum, saffron, coconut, gram dal and jaggery. Most of the devotees practise fasting with sunrise and continue till the next day sun rises. It is necessary to avoid eating cereals or grains and rice items. But they can consume milk and fruits. During that day, devotees are chanting the mantra of Lord Narasimha by using rudraksha mala. And also they are donating clothes, precious metals, sesame seeds to the poor people. By attending Narasimha homam, people will get supreme power. It helps to get rid of the difficulties in business. Lord Narasimha is regarded as the protector against evil, so he helps to avoid the cruels and evils away. Yet, it helps to clear the sins and get salvation.