Narasimha Jayanti

Narasimha Jayanti
18th century painting of Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashipu
Observed byHindus, especially Vaishnavas
SignificanceVishnu's incarnation as Narasimha
ObservancesPuja, fasting, temple rituals, offering charity, reading of Prahlada Charitra
DateVaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi (14th day of Hindu month Vaisakha)[1]
2023 date4 May[2]
2024 date21 May[3]
FrequencyAnnual

Narasimha Jayanti (Sanskrit: नरसिंहजयंती, romanizedNarasiṃhajayantī, lit.'Victory of Narasimha') is a Hindu festival that is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha (April-May).[4] Hindus regard this as the day the deity Vishnu assumed his fourth avatar in the form of a "man-lion", known as Narasimha, to vanquish the oppressive asura king Hiranyakashipu and protect his devotee Prahlada.[5][6][4] The legend of Narasimha represents the victory of knowledge over ignorance and the protection offered by God to his devotees.[6]

  1. ^ Trust, Vishwamaitri (24 March 2020). "Vishwamaitri Panchanga: Shri Sharvari".
  2. ^ "2023 Narasimha Jayanti date for New Delhi, NCT, India".
  3. ^ "2024 Narasimha Jayanti date for New Delhi, NCT, India".
  4. ^ a b Lochtefeld, James G. (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z. Rosen. p. 462. ISBN 978-0-8239-3180-4.
  5. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2018-05-23). "Narasimhajayanti, Narasiṃhajayantī, Narasimhajayamti: 3 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  6. ^ a b Verma, Manish (2013). Fasts and Festivals of India. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. p. 24. ISBN 978-81-7182-076-4.