Matsya Jayanti or Matsya Dwadashi
is a festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The observance is dedicated to the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Matsya in the form of fish, who came to earth in the Satya Yuga.
The Matsya Dwadashi is celebrated on the Dwadashi of the Shukla paksha of the Margashirsha month as per the traditional Hindu calendar.
The celebration of Matsya Dwadashi
Apart from being celebrated by the devotees at home and by attending nearby Vishnu temples; there is only one temple in India which is dedicated to the first Avatar of Lord Vishnu – the Matsya Avatar.
This temple is the Nagalapuram Veda Narayana Swamy Temple near Tirupati in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Devotees come from far away on this auspicious day to worship Lord Vishnu in his Matsya Avatar on this day.
Legend of Matsya Avatar
In the Satya-yuga era, a king called Manu or the Vaivasvata Manu ruled. He had performed severe penance and worship to Lord Vishnu.
Manu – Small Fish – Big Fish
- Manu one day saw a little fish in his folded hands while he was in the Kritamala River.
- While Manu was about to put the small fish back in the water, it requested not to be thrown back in the water as it was scared of the bigger fish.
- The King promised the fish safety put it in a small jar and carried it with him.
- The fish became too big for a jar. The king let it out in a pond.
- Then it turned too big for the pond or the Ganges or the ocean.
World in danger due to flood
Upon request, the fish then revealed that it was Lord Vishnu himself. He appeared in front of Manu and told him that in seven days a great deluge would flood the whole world. He instructed the King to build a boat and bring one kind of all living beings together, the seven sages, and also gather all kinds of seeds.
He also instructed the serpent Vasuki, to be used as a rope to tie to his horn. He was the one-horned fish who would take care of the boat. The Matsya disappeared. Manu made all the necessary arrangements.
On a fateful day, turbulent rain lashed the earth and the one-horned fish appeared again. The king tied the serpent to the Matsya’s horn. Matsya then took them all to Mount Himavan and kept them all there till the flood water had come down.
In the new era, the king could start procreation. While en route, Matsya as Lord Vishnu revealed to the King the knowledge of the Vedas, Puranas, Samhitas, and also the Eternal Truth. Lord Vishnu as Matsya, then vanquished Hayagriva the demon, and rescued the Vedas.
Rituals of Matsya Dwadashi
- On the day of the Matsya Dwadashi people awake early and take a ritual bath.
- They then wear clean clothes and visit a nearby Vishnu temple.
- The devotees worship the deity with sandalwood paste, incense sticks, fruits, and flowers.
- The devotees also fast the whole day and read sacred scripts such as Vishnu Sahasranama to seek blessings from the Lord Vishnu.
- Shodasopachara puja or puja with 16 steps ritual and charity is offered to the Brahmin on this auspicious day.
- Married women observe this day for marital well-being and the good health of their husband and child.
- Women who have no children perform this vrat to have virtuous children.
- Men observe this Matsya Dwadashi vrat for health, wealth and prosperity from Lord Vishnu.
Significance of Matsya Dwadashi
It is believed that worshipping the Matsya avatar of Vishnu on Dwadashi absolves a person of all sins. It is also believed that proper observance of the Matsya Dwadashi will bless a devotee with Moksha or salvation.
*Data Source: Saptagiri Magazine
