Narasimha Jayanti – How to Observe Fast and Pooja?

Narasimha Jayanti is the occasion for celebrating the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Narasimha (half man – half lion) to save his devotee, Prahlada, from the demon Hiranyakashipu. Narasimha is the fourth among the 10 avatars of Vishnu. In 2021, Narasimha Jayanti falls on May 25. Let us see how to observe vrat, Pooja, and prayers at home on Narasimha Jayanthi.

The Puranas say that Vishnu took this fierce form on the Chaturdashi day in the month of Vaishakh.

Benefits of Narasimha Jayanti Fast/Vrat:

1. Wish fulfillment.
2. Removal of all sorrows
3. Peace and prosperity.
4. Protection from accidents and ill fortune

Myth behind Narasimha Jayanti (to be read on the occasion)

The demon king, Hiranyakashipu, had received a boon from Brahma that he could not be killed by man or beast, during the day or by night, and from inside or outside. Also, he could not be slain by any weapon.

This boon made the demon powerful and invincible. Hiranyakashipu then conquered heaven and earth and declared that he was God. He also commanded everyone to worship him and not Vishnu, whom he despised as Vishnu had killed his brother, Hiranyaksha.

But Hiranyakashipu’s son, Prahlada, turned out to be a staunch devotee of  Lord Vishnu and did not heed his father’s order. So, while the entire kingdom worshipped Hiranyakashipu, his own son worshipped Vishnu. The demon tried his best to make his son obey him, but he failed miserably. He then tried to kill the boy, but all his attempts failed, as Vishnu saved the young boy from the clutches of death.

Annoyed with his son, finally, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlada to prove that Vishnu was in a stone pillar in the palace. When Prahlada said that Vishnu was omnipresent, Hiranyakashipu struck the pillar hard with a mace.

To his amazement, Vishnu as Narasimha, a ferocious half-man, half-lion, emerged from the pillar. Narasimha killed the demon by placing him on his lap and tearing his heart with his claws. It was twilight, and he was killed on the threshold of the palace. Thus, Vishnu was able to neutralize the boon the demon had obtained from Brahma.

What to do on Narasimha Jayanti Day?

Devotees observe a fast on Narasimha Jayanti and worship at Vishnu temples.

Fasting is from sunrise and ends at sunrise the next day.

Those undertaking a partial fast can take milk, fruits, and food that is not made using rice or grains.

Prayers dedicated to the deity are also chanted. One can also read the story of Narasimha avatar in the Bhagavata Purana.

Narasimha Jayanti Mantra:

Om Narasimhaya Namaha

Chant the above-given mantra 108 times.

One can give alms and perform Anna daanam (donating food to the poor). Donating food to poor children is very meritorious.

It is said that those who observe Narasimha Jayanti 2021 vrat will attain ‘Vaikunta’, the abode of Vishnu.

How to do Narasimha Jayanti Pooja?

1. Wake up early in the morning before dawn. Clean the house and take a bath.
2. Offer prayers to Ganesha.
3. Wear red color garments, and visit a Vishnu temple.
4. Start the fast at sunrise.
5. The Pooja must be performed in the evening just before sunset.
6. Keep a red color cloth in the south side of the house. Place a picture of Narasimha on it.
7. Light a lamp using ghee or jasmine oil. One wick is better.
8. Offer red color flowers.
9. Dhoop or agarbatti can be of natural flowers, preferably red color flowers.
10. Offer sindoor and red chandan tilak.
11. Prasad or bhog should be prepared with jaggery and wheat. Later it should be kept under a peepal tree.
12. Chant the Narasimha mantra 108 times.

Special Offerings for Narasimha Jayanti

Offer honey during Pooja and later donate it to a poor person. This will help you to achieve progress in life.

To remove all sorrows in life, cover a coconut with a red color cloth and offer it to the deity during Pooja. Later, bury the coconut and cloth in a forest area.

Offer 8 lemons to Narasimha by smearing it with sindoor in order to escape from accidents and unfortunate incidents in life. Discard the lemons in a deserted place later.