Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi is celebrated as Narasimha Jayanti. Lord Narasimha was the 4th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On Narasimha Jayanti day Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha, a half lion and half man, to kill Demon Hiranyakashipu.
The combination of Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi with Swati Nakshatra and weekday Saturday is considered highly auspicious to observe Narasimha Jayanti Vratam.
The rules and guidelines to observe Narasimha Jayanti fasting are similar to those of Ekadashi fasting. Devotees eat only single meal one day before Narasimha Jayanti. All type of grains and cereals are prohibited during Narasimha Jayanti fasting. Parana, which means breaking the fast, is done next day at an appropriate time.
On Narasimha Jayanti day devotees take Sankalp during Madhyahna (Hindu afternoon period) and perform Lord Narasimha Pujan during Sanyakal before sunset. It is believed that Lord Narasimha was appeared during sunset while Chaturdashi was prevailing. It is advised to keep night vigil and perform Visarjan Puja next day morning. The fast should be broken on next day after performing Visarjan Puja and giving Dana to Brahmin.
Narasimha Jayanti fast is broken next day after sunrise when Chaturdashi Tithi is over. If Chaturdashi Tithi gets over before sunrise then fast is broken any time after sunrise after finishing Jayanti rituals. If Chaturdashi gets over very late i.e. if Chaturdashi prevails beyond three-fourth of Dinamana then fast can be broken in first half of Dinamana. Dinamana is time window between sunrise and sunset.
DrikPanchang.com lists Madhyahna time to take Sankalp, Sanyakal duration to perform Puja and Parana time on next day to break the fast. All these timings are location based hence it is mandatory to change location before noting down Puja and Parana timings.
Special puja is performed on this day with idol or picture of Lord Narsimha and Goddess Laxmi.
Devotee should wake up early during the Brahma muhurat and take a bath. He or she should wear new and fresh clothes.
Devotees should perform puja and offer gram dal and jaggery to the deity. The puja ceremony should be done with friends and relatives offering items like flowers, sweets, kumkum, kesar and coconut.
Fast on this day starts with sunrise and continues until the next day’s sunrise. One can have one in the day that should be without any kind of cereals or grains.
Narsimha mantra should be recited with rudraksha mala to please and the God and attain a more meaningful life.
It is good to donate clothes, precious metals, and sesame seeds on this day to the poor.
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