Sri Narasimha Jayanthi 9th May 2017

Sri Narasimha Jayanthi 9th May 2017

Sri Narasimha Jayanti is the appearance day of Lord Narasimha, the half-lion half-man incarnation of Supreme Lord Krishna, who appeared to protect Prahlada from his demoniac father Hiranyakashipu.

Hiranyakashipu received a special benediction from Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by any human being, demigod or animal or any other entities; he could not be killed by any kind of weapons, neither during day nor night. So, the Lord appeared in half-man half-lion form and killed him with His nails at twilight, thus satisfying all the conditions.

Narasimhadeva appeared at dusk on the Shukla Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the bright fortnight) in the month of Vaishakha (May). Devotees fast till dusk on this day.

Sri Narasimha Jayanti Celebrations

On the auspicious day of Narasimha Chaturdashi, the temple of Sri Prahlada
Narasimha is decorated with colorful fragrant flowers.

5:00 AM: Abhisheka for the Moolavar Deity of Sri Prahlada Narasimha. On the day of Narasimha Chaturdashi, the celebrations begin at 5 AM, with an elaborate abhisheka for the moolavar Deity of Sri Prahlada Narasimha with panchagavya, panchamrita, herbal water, fruit juices, and flowers. The Lord is also adorned with new dress and jewelry. A Narasimha-yajna is performed for the protection of the society from evil.

6:00 PM: Abhisheka for the Utsavar Deity of Narasimha. In the evening the utsavar Deity of Sri Narasimhadeva receives an elaborate abhisheka. During the abhisheka, panchagavya, panchamrita, sacred water, herbal water, sandal water, fruit juices, and water mixed with turmeric are poured on the Lord for His pleasure. Devotees chant a special prayer from Srimad Bhagavatam, which was chanted by Prahlada Maharaja to pacify Lord Narasimha after He had killed Hiranyakashipu. A grand arati is performed. 108 kalashas of sacred water sanctified by mantras are poured on the Lord as the devotees chant the Purusha Sukta prayers.

8:00 PM: Shayana Arati and Pallakki Utsava. After the abhisheka, the Lord receives an offering of 56 varieties of bhoga items. The festival then culminates with shayana-arati and pallakki-utsava.

Chandan Yatra: Three days before the festival, Sri Prahlada Narasimha is adorned with sandal (chandan) paste. Only once in a year devotees get this special darshan of Sri Prahlada Narasimha in Chandan Alankara. Devotees can participate in the seva of grinding the sandal paste for anointing the transcendental body of the Supreme Lord.