Narasimha Jayanti | |
---|---|
Observed by | Hindus, especially Vaishnavas |
Significance | Vishnu's incarnation as Narasimha |
Observances | Puja, fasting, temple rituals, offering charity, reading of Prahlada Charitra |
Date | Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi (14th day of Hindu month Vaisakha)[1] |
2023 date | 4 May[2] |
2024 date | 21 May[3] |
Frequency | Annual |
Narasimha Jayanti (Sanskrit: नरसिंहजयंती, romanized: Narasiṃhajayantī, 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]