Today Narashimha jayanthi is celebrated throughout India.The fourth and the greatest incarnation of Lord Vishnu amongst his ten prime avataras is Lord Narasimha who emerged out of a pillar as Man-Lion, i.e.,Lion's head on Man's trunk. He devoured Demon-Lord Hiranyakashyapu who was Master Prahalada's father. When Prahalada was in the womb of his mother, Queen Kayaadu, he had the fortune of listening to Devarishi Naradha regarding Lord Vishnu's compassion towards his devotees. Hence right from his birth Prahalada was dedicated to the name of Lord Vishnu.Hiranyakashyapu who was an arch rival of Lord Vishnu and a symbol of torture to noble souls, could not bear with his son and started torturing young Prahalada in many ways after trying through his henchmen to advice Prahalada that Hiranyakashyapu himself was the prime god and Lord Vishnu stood null in front of Hiranyakashyapu. Young Prahalada denounced such thoughts and stuck to his wisdom that Lord Vishnu was "Purushothama", the supreme. One day, Hiranyakashyapu screamed at Prahalada and questioned him as to where his Lord Vishnu was present and whether he could save Prahalada from death at his own hands.To this, Prahalada replied that Lord Vishnu is omnipresent. Hiranyakashyapu pointed out at a pillar in his palace and asked Prahalada whether Vishnu was present in it. Prahalada's reply was affirmative.The Demon using his Gadha(Mace) broke open the pillar and there emerged Lord Narasimha who slained the demon using his sharp paws and blessed Prahalad as his topmost devotee on earth.To mark the above incidence and to pay our respect to the Lord, Narasimha Jayanthi is celebrated at several temples.
What to do on Nrisimha / Narasimha Jayanthi:
Please eat once on the previous day (Trayodashi) and on the Narasimha Jayanthi day keep fast from morning till chaturdashi tithi ends. After sunset, perform Pooja to Lord Narasimha. Please keep night vigil. Perform visarjan pooja next day morning. If chaturdasi prevails more than 3 prahara break fast before noon next day. If possible do 'teel patra dana' to brahmin.
After taking a bath do Lord Narasimha pooja with abhishekam, and perform homam to Lord Narasimha. Perform Punchasukta homam, Narasimha moola mantra homam, Sri Lakshmi-Narasimha mantra homam. Additionaly one can add Sri Sudarshan homam as well. Please visit the hindu temple in your area where these ceremonies are performed and take blessings of Lord Narasimha. Most temples perform Lakshi-Narasimha Sudarshan homam on this day. Certain temples celebrate this festivals for nine days starting from shasthi till chaturdashi.
