Matsya Jayanti is believed to be the day when Lord Vishnu appeared as Matsya Avatar (fish incarnation). Matsya Jayanti 2024 date is April 11. Sri Hari Vishnu appeared as a one-horned fish to rescue the Vedas. Some scriptures also indicate that Matsya appears to warn about the great deluge or Mahapralaya that will destroy the universe and prepare it for regeneration.
Matsya Jayanti is observed on third day (Tritiya) during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in the Chaitra Month in traditional Hindu calendar. It must be noted here that some communities observe Matsya Jayanti on a different date as per regional calendar.
Special prayers are offered on the day at Lord Vishnu temples.
Performing charity - donating food and clothes - on the day earns merit.
Another important holy activity on the day is feeding fishes and other animals that reside in water.
Cleaning up of ponds, lakes and rivers brings merit and good luck.
There are two stories of Matsya Avatar. One is Matsya rescued by Manu or Satyavrata. The divine fish then warns Manu about the great deluge. Matsya requests him to carry the Vedas and gather the seeds of all plants and a pair each of all living beings. Another story associated with Matsya Avatar is of it rescuing the Vedas from Demon Damanaka. (You can read both the stories here.)
Special prayers are offered on the day at Lord Vishnu temples.
What to do on Matsya Jayanti day?
Offering prayers in Lord Vishnu temple is highly meritorious. A fasting from sunrise to next day sunrise is observed for attaining self realization and salvation (Moksha). Fruits is consumed on the day. Reading Matsya Purana or listening to stories associated with the avatar is auspicious and helps in sin redemption.Performing charity - donating food and clothes - on the day earns merit.
Another important holy activity on the day is feeding fishes and other animals that reside in water.
Cleaning up of ponds, lakes and rivers brings merit and good luck.
Story of Matsya Avatar - the First Incarnation of Lord Vishnu
There are two stories of Matsya Avatar. One is Matsya rescued by Manu or Satyavrata. The divine fish then warns Manu about the great deluge. Matsya requests him to carry the Vedas and gather the seeds of all plants and a pair each of all living beings. Another story associated with Matsya Avatar is of it rescuing the Vedas from Demon Damanaka. (You can read both the stories here.)
Matsya Purana
Matsya Purana provides great deal of information regarding the Matsya Avatar. In addition, it is an important Hindu scripture, which provides details about Hindu temple construction especially that of sections in a temple, sculpture and artwork designs. Nearly 20 different styles of temples are mentioned in the scripture.
The Purana is also rich in stories associated with Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Goddess Shakti. Several chapters in the Purana are dedicated to festivals, rituals and various sanskars in Hinduism.
Other chapters deal with creation, duties of kings, ministers, and citizens. There are also interesting chapters on how to identify a stable soil for home construction, different architectural designs of a house along with construction-related ritual ceremonies.
It is one of among the 18 important Puranas in Hindu religion.
Temple Dedicated to Matsya Avatar
Sri Veda Narayanaswami Temple near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is an important temple dedicated to Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Sun rays fall directly on the Murti (idol) worshipped in the temple every year on 25th, 26th and 27th of March. The temple is an architectural wonder.
The main murti worshipped in the temple is that of the Matsya Avatar of Vishnu. Consorts of Vishnu, Sridevi and Bhudevi, flank the main murti in the sanctum sanctorum.
The Matsya Avatar murti is four-armed and the Sudarshana Chakra is in ready for release posture.
Matsya Jayanti, observed on the third day during the chaitra shukla paksha, is an important festival in the temple. On the day, the processional deity is taken around the streets in the morning hours. In the evening, the processional deity is taken atop Garuda Vahana around the streets.
Another Important Day Associated with Matsya Avatar
Another important day in a year dedicated to Matsya Avatar is Matsya Dwadashi in North India. It is observed on the 12th day of Kartik month by some communities and also on the 12th day of Margashirsha month. Those observing fast and taking holy dip in sacred rivers on the day will get sin redemption and will attain Moksha.