The Hindu festival Matsya Jayanti is the birth anniversary celebration of Lord Matsya. Lord Matsya was the first Avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu – one of the supreme universal powers.
Lord Vishnu has a prime responsibility to preserve the universe from evil powers and protect the Dharma. With this strong motif, he transformed himself into various incarnations (Das Avatar) when the cosmos was in danger and in need of Vishnu. As per the Hindu texts, Vishnu has taken only nine Avatars, and Hindus generously believe that his last avatar Kalki is yet to reveal.
Significance of Matsya Jayanti
However, Lord Vishnu took the Matsya avatar in the form of one-horned Fish during the “Mahapralay” (cataclysm) in Satya Yuga, according to Hindu mythology. In the Hindu calendar, Matsya Jayanti falls on Tritiya (3rd day) during the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) during ‘Chaitra Navratri.’
The story of Matsya Jayanti:
On Matsya Jayanti day, adherents grandly rejoice in this festival and worship Lord Vishnu by visiting Lord Vishnu temples across India. They praise the Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu with undivided devotion as he saved the earth from the most consequential catastrophe.
Devotees celebrate the Matsya Jayanti festival as they believe this festival will conduct better fortune, peace, and harmony to the world.
Here’s the ritual of Matsya Jayanti for you:
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