This ritual is dedicated to the Baraha or Varaha incarnation of Bhagavan Vishnu.
In Hindu religion, Baraha, also spelled as Varaha, is indeed
regarded as the boar incarnation of the god Vishnu. The story of Baraha's
appearance is recounted in various Hindu scriptures, including the Puranas.
According to the story, the demon Hiranyaksha had abducted
the Earth and submerged her into the cosmic ocean. This act threatened the
balance of the universe and caused chaos. In response, Lord Vishnu assumed the
form of a massive boar, Baraha, to rescue Mother Earth and restore order.
Baraha dived into the depths of the ocean, where he battled
Hiranyaksha for thousands of years. Eventually, Baraha emerged victorious,
lifting the Earth out of the waters using his tusks. With great strength and
determination, he carried her back to her rightful place in the cosmos.
Moreover, during this epic battle, Baraha also discovered
the sacred Vedas, which had been hidden deep within the ocean by Hiranyaksha.
By rescuing both Mother Earth and the Vedas, Baraha symbolizes the protection
of the fundamental aspects of creation and knowledge.
The story of Baraha's incarnation illustrates Vishnu's role as the preserver and protector of the universe. It underscores the importance of maintaining harmony and order in the cosmos, as well as the significance of preserving knowledge and wisdom for the benefit of humanity.
Special pujas are held in temples on the day. Worship and fast of Baraha incarnation helps in solving earthly problems. He is also worshipped for achieving good harvest.