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Hayagriva Jayanti 2024 date – Significance of Hayagriva Jayanthi of God Vishnu in Hinduism

Hayagriva Jayanti is believed to be the day when Hayagriva incarnation of Lord Vishnu appeared on earth. Hayagriva Jayanti 2024 date is August 19. Hayagriva is a unique incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the head of a horse and the body of a human being. The purpose of this Avatar was to retrieve the stolen Vedas from the demons. The day is observed as Upakarma day and Avani Avittam day by the Brahmin community.

Hayagriva Avatar is mainly mentioned in the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata and the Puranas. It is one of the lesser-known incarnations of Lord Vishnu. In some regions, Hayagriva is the guardian deity of the Vedas.

Hayagriva Jayanti date

There are several legends associated with how Lord Vishnu got the horse-head in Hayagriva incarnation. In the main legend associated with Hayagriva, Devas led by Indra are the villains. It is said the powers of Vishnu made Indra jealous and they decided to kill him. Once the Devas found Lord Vishnu resting with his chin on his bow. The Devas turned into termites and chewed one end of the tight bowstring until it snapped. The bowstring snapped with such force that it beheaded Vishnu.

Without Vishnu, the Devas were helpless before Asuras (Demons). Asuras used this opportunity and stole the Vedas and overpowered Devas. Indra and gods were ashamed of their unwisely act and decided to resurrect Vishnu but they could only find his body; the head was missing. It is said that the Devas placed the head of a horse and resurrected Vishnu. Hayagriva defeated the demons and brought back the Vedas.

Another legend suggests that the above said incident was a divine play to annihilate a demon named Hayagriva, who had got the boon that he will only be killed by another Hayagriva – a person with a horsehead.

An important temple dedicated to Lord Hayagriva is the Hayagriva Madhava Temple at Hajo in Assam.