Narasimha Jayanti

Culture of origin: Hindu · Cultural

Holiday sources: Hinduism

Narasimha Jayanti recalls how Vishnu took the form of a man-lion, his fourth avatar, to destroy the oppressive asura king Hiranyakashipu and protect his devotee Prahlada. Hiranyakashipu had a boon that he could be slain neither inside nor outside, by day nor by night, by man nor beast; Narasimha came out of a pillar the king had smashed and killed him at the doorway of the palace at twilight. Sri Vaishnavas fast until the evening, and the worship of Narasimha has long roots in South India.