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Narasimha (नरसिंह)

The man-lion avatar of Vishnu: who Narasimha is, the stories, the symbols, how Narasimha is worshipped and the festivals.

Who is Narasimha?

Narasimha, half man and half lion, is the avatar in which Vishnu appeared to protect his devotee Prahlada from his father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu. He is worshipped as a protector and as the god who comes at the moment of greatest need.

Also known as
Narahari, Ugra Narasimha, Lakshmi Narasimha
Family
The fourth avatar of Vishnu; devotee Prahlada, the son of Hiranyakashipu.
Symbols
A lion's head on a human body, claws, the demon Hiranyakashipu across his lap
Vehicle
None
Known as
The man-lion avatar of Vishnu

Stories

Hiranyakashipu had been given a boon that he could not be killed by a man or an animal, indoors or outdoors, by day or by night, on the ground or in the sky, by any weapon. He tormented his son Prahlada for devotion to Vishnu. When he asked if Vishnu was in a pillar of his palace and struck it, Narasimha burst out; at twilight, on the threshold, with his claws, with the demon on his lap, he killed him.

Worship

Narasimha is worshipped especially in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, with the temples of Ahobilam and Simhachalam; Tuesday and Saturday and the Chaturdashi day are kept for him.

Festivals

Narasimha Jayanti (in April or May) is his festival; Holika Dahan, in which Prahlada and his aunt Holika appear, is part of the same story.

Related

All gods and goddesses · The ten avatars of Vishnu

Questions people ask

Who is Narasimha?

The man-lion avatar of Vishnu. Narasimha, half man and half lion, is the avatar in which Vishnu appeared to protect his devotee Prahlada from his father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu.

Which day is Narasimha worshipped?

Narasimha is worshipped especially in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, with the temples of Ahobilam and Simhachalam; Tuesday and Saturday and the Chaturdashi day are kept for him.. Customs vary by region and family.

Which festivals belong to Narasimha?

Narasimha Jayanti (in April or May) is his festival; Holika Dahan, in which Prahlada and his aunt Holika appear, is part of the same story..

These pages describe traditions as they are told in the Puranas and in popular devotion. Practices differ between regions, communities and families, and your own family's custom comes first. This is not religious instruction.