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.