Matsya Jayanti 2024 Date, Time, Rituals, and Significance
Matsya Jayanti is a Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Matsya, who was supposedly the first avatar of Vishnu during the Satya Yuga, and who took the appearance of a fish. A fish with one horn is said to have emerged during the Mahapralay as the “Matsya Avatar” in Hindu mythology. Matsya Jayanti is celebrated on the third day of the Shukla Paksha, the bright fortnight of the moon, in the month of Chaitra, according to the Hindu calendar.
These festivities occur at the same time as the major “Gangaur” celebrations and in the middle of the holy “Chaitra Navratri,” the nine-day period set aside for Goddess Durga. Devotees of Hinduism hold Matsya Jayanti in high regard. Lord Vishnu temples across the nation host unique ceremonies and pujas on this day. Dedicated to Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu, the sole temple in India is the “Nagalapuram Veda Narayana Swamy Temple” near Tirupati in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Extravagant festivities and day-long events are planned here.
Matsya Jayanti Date 2024
Rituals of Matsya Jayanti
- On this day, followers observe a fast in an effort to appease Lord Vishnu.
- On Matsya Jayanti, the vrat begins the night before, and those who observe it abstain from eating and drinking even a drop of water.
- The fast lasts till the dawn of the next day, and devotees only break their fast after worshipping Lord Vishnu.
- On the day of Matsya Jayanti, staying awake all night and chanting Vedic mantras is said to be beneficial.
Additionally, reciting the ‘Matsya Purana’ and ‘Vishnu Sahasranaam’ is extremely fortunate. - On the day of Matsya Purana, it is highly advantageous to provide alms or charity.
- On this day, one must provide food, clothing, or money to Brahmins as well as the impoverished and needy.
Story of Matsya Avatar
There are two Matsya Avatar stories. Manu rescued either Matsya or Satyavrata. The heavenly fish then tells Manu about the impending flood. Matsya requests that he transport the Vedas and collect two seeds from each species of plant and animal. Matsya Avatar is also related with the legend of it rescuing the Vedas from the Demon Damanaka. (Here you can read both of the stories.)
Matsya Purana has an abundance of information about the Matsya Avatar. In addition, it is a major Hindu scripture that describes the construction of Hindu temples, including the sections, sculptures, and artwork designs. Nearly twenty distinct types of temples are described in the Bible.
The Purana is also filled with tales about Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Shakti. Numerous chapters of the Purana are devoted to Hindu festivals, ceremonies, and other sanskars.
Other chapters include creation, kingly, ministerial, and citizen responsibilities. There are additional chapters on how to determine a stable soil for home construction, various architectural designs of a house, and ritual ceremonies associated with construction.
It is one of the 18 most important Puranas in Hinduism.
Significance of Matsya Jayanti
Matsya Jayanti is a Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Matsya, who is believed to be the primary representation of Vishnu as Fish during the Satya Yuga.
The ‘Matsya Avatar,’ a fish with one horn, appeared during the ‘Mahapralay,’ according to Hindu mythology. Matsya Jayanti is observed on the third day of the lunar month Chaitra during the Shukla Paksha, according to the Hindu calendar.
This festival coincides with the wonderful “Gangaur celebrations” and occurs between the auspicious “Chaitra Navratri” (the nine-day period dedicated to Goddess Durga). Observance of Matsya Jayanti is mandatory for devotees of Hinduism.
At honour of Lord Vishnu, pujas and special rituals are held at temples around the country on this day.
The principal Hindu temple dedicated to Matsya Avatar of Vishnu is located in the “Nagalapuram Veda Narayana Swamy Temple” close to Tirupati in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Every day, spectacular events are planned, and the festivals are out of this world.