Matsya Jayanti
The
Hindu festival of Matsya Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord
Matsya, who is believed to be the first avatar of Lord Vishnu in the form of
Fish, during the Satya Yuga. According to the Hindu mythology, the ‘Matsya
Avatar’ is a one-horned fish that appeared during the ‘Mahapralay’. In the
Hindu calendar, Matsya Jayanti is observed on the ‘Tritiya’ (3rd day) during
the ‘Shukla Paksha’ (the bright fortnight of moon) in the month of ‘Chaitra’.
This celebrations falls between the auspicious ‘Chaitra Navratri’ (the 9-day
period designated for Goddess Durga) and coincides with the grand ‘Gangaur
festivities.
Matsya Jayanti is an
important day for Hindu devotees. On this day, special arrangements and pujas
are performed in Lord Vishnu temples all over the country. The ‘Nagalapuram
Veda Narayana Swamy Temple’, close to Tirupati, in the state of Andhra Pradesh
is the only temple in India that is dedicated to Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu.
The celebrations here are very grand and special programmes are organised for
the day.
Significance of Matsya
Jayanti:
As per the Hindu
legends, Matsya Avatar was the first of the ten incarnations ‘Dashavatar’ of
Sri Hari Vishnu. Matsya represented a one horned fish and in this avatar, Lord
Vishnu warned King Manu about the cosmic deluge and even saved the universe
from the demon named ‘Damanaka’. In the religious history of Hinduism, there is
no mention regarding the rituals, traditions and customs to be followed in
worshipping the Matsya Avatar. Yet on the day of Matsya Jayanti, Hindu devotees
worship this form of Vishnu with immense devotion and dedication. The festival
is celebrated in a grand manner in Lord Vishnu temples all across the country.
The celebrations in the Vaishnava and ISKCON temples are very elaborate.
Rituals during Matsya
Jayanti:
On this day, devotees
keep a fast to please Lord Vishnu. The vrat on Matsya Jayanti commences from
the previous night and the observer of this fast refrains from eating or even
drinking a sip of water. The fast continues till the sunrise of the following
day and devotees break their fast only after worshipping Lord Vishnu. On the
day of Matsya Jayanti it is believed to be rewarding to stay awake all night and
chant Vedic mantras. Reciting the ‘Matsya Purana’ and ‘Vishnu Sahasranaam’ is
also very auspicious. Offering donations or charity on the day of Matsya Purana
is highly beneficial. On this day, one must donate food, clothes or money to
Brahmins and also distribute among the poor and needy.
2016
Date : 9th April, Saturday.
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