Narasimha Jayanti celebrates the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha (half man – half lion) to save Prahlad from demon Hiranyakashipu. Narasimha is the fourth of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. In 2025, the date of Narasimha Jayanti is May 11. Below is a brief description on what to do on Narasimha Jayanti and on how to observe vrat, puja and prayers at home.
Fasting is from sunrise to next day sunrise.
Those opting for partial fast can consume milk, fruits and food items not made using rice and grains.
Prayers dedicated to Narasimha are chanted on the day. The best prayer is to read about the avatar of Narasimha in the Bhagavata Purana.
Chant the above given mantra 108 times.
People also give alms on the day and perform Annadhanam (donate food to poor). Donating food to poor children is highly meritorious on the day.
It is believed that those people who observe Narasimha Jayanti vratham will reach the ‘Vaikunta’ – abode of Vishnu.
According to Puranas, Lord Vishnu appeared as Narasimha on the Chaturdashi day in the month of Vaishakh.
ॐ नरसिंहाय नमः
Narasimha Jayanti Mantra
Om Narasimhaya Namahaॐ नरसिंहाय नमः
Benefits of Narasimha Jayanti Vrat
- Desire fulfillment.
- All sorrows in life will be wiped out.
- Peace and prosperity.
- Escape from accidents and bad luck
Story to be Read on Narasimha Jayanti
Demon Hiranyakasipu had obtained a boon from Brahma that he could not be killed by man or beast, by day or by night and from inside or outside. And also he could not be killed by any weapon.
After receiving such a powerful boon, Hiranyakasipu conquered heaven and earth and declared himself as God and asked people to worship him and not Vishnu.
But Hiranyakasipu’s son, Prahlāda, was a staunch Vishnu devotee and disobeyed his father. The whole kingdom worshipped Hiranyakasipu; but in his own house his son worshipped Vishnu. Father tried all means to change his son, but he failed miserably. He then tried to kill but each time the young boy escaped from the clutches of death with the blessings of Vishnu.
Fed up with his son, one day Hiranyakasipu challenged Prahlada and, looking to a stone pillar, asked, ‘If your god is omnipresent, is he in this pillar also?’ Prahlad answered, ‘HE is present in the pillar and even in the rust.’ Hearing this Hiranyakasipu slashed hard on the pillar with a sword.
Suddenly, Lord Vishnu emerged from the pillar in the form of a Narasimha and slew the demon at dusk. Narasimha killed the demon by keeping him in his lap and tearing his heart with bare hands thus overcoming all the boons the demon had attained from Brahma.
What to do on Narasimha Jayanti Day?
Devotees fast on Narasimha Jayanti day and visit Lord Vishnu temples.Fasting is from sunrise to next day sunrise.
Those opting for partial fast can consume milk, fruits and food items not made using rice and grains.
Prayers dedicated to Narasimha are chanted on the day. The best prayer is to read about the avatar of Narasimha in the Bhagavata Purana.
Chant the above given mantra 108 times.
People also give alms on the day and perform Annadhanam (donate food to poor). Donating food to poor children is highly meritorious on the day.
It is believed that those people who observe Narasimha Jayanti vratham will reach the ‘Vaikunta’ – abode of Vishnu.
How to do Narasimha Jayanti Puja?
- The person performing the puja should wake up early in the morning before sunrise. Clean the house and take bath.
- Offer prayers to Ganesha in mind.
- Wear red color clothes and visit a nearby Vishnu temple or offer prayers in mind to Narasimha.
- The fast starts with sunrise.
- The puja is to be performed in the evening just before sunset.
- Place a red color cloth in the south side of the house and place a picture of Narasimha on it.
- Light lamp using cow ghee or jasmine oil. One wick is preferred.
- Offer red color flowers.
- Dhoop or agarbatti should be of natural flowers preferably of red color flowers.
- Offer Sindoor and red chandan tilak.
- Prasad or bhog on the day should be prepared using jaggery and wheat. Later it should be place under a peepal tree.
- Chant the above given mantra 108 times.
Special Offerings On Narasimha Jayanti?
Offering honey during puja and later donating it to a poor person will help in achieving progress in life.
To get rid of all kinds of sorrows in life, cover a coconut with red color cloth and offer it to Narasimha during puja, later dig earth in a forest area and bury the coconut and cloth.
To escape from accidents and untoward incidents in life offer 8 lemons to Narasimha by smearing it with sindoor. Later throw the lemons in a deserted place.