Varaha Jayanti 2026: date, auspicious puja timing and rituals

Varaha Jayanti, marking the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu, will be observed on Sunday, September 13, according to Drik Panchang.

The Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya date begins at 7:08 am on September 13 and ends at 7:06 am on September 14. Based on the udaya tithi, the festival falls on September 13.

The auspicious muhurat for worshipping Lord Vishnu's Varaha form falls between 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm on September 13, according to Drik Panchang. Devotees can perform the puja for the Varaha form of Lord Vishnu during this window.

According to legend, in the Satya Yuga a powerful demon named Hiranyaksha lifted the earth and hid it in the netherworld, creating crisis everywhere. To save the earth, Lord Vishnu took the form of Varaha, went to the netherworld, fought Hiranyaksha and killed him. Lord Varaha then lifted the earth on his tusks and restored it to its place. For this reason, this form of Vishnu is also known as the protector of the earth, and the Varaha avatar is counted among his principal incarnations.

On the day of Varaha Jayanti, devotees should wake up early, bathe and wear clean clothes. After cleaning the puja area, they should meditate on Lord Vishnu's Varaha form. Water should first be offered to Vishnu, followed by yellow flowers, fruit, incense and lamps; offering yellow items is considered auspicious. During the puja, devotees chant Vishnu mantras and, according to their devotion, recite the Vishnu Sahasranama. This is followed by listening to or reading the story of Lord Varaha. The puja concludes with an aarti to Lord Vishnu and prayers for the family's well-being.

In parts of South India, there is also a tradition of worshipping the Varaha Kalash on this occasion. An idol of Lord Varaha is placed in a pot filled with water, which is then covered with mango leaves and topped with a coconut. The pot is worshipped following due ritual, and once the puja is complete, it is customary to donate the pot to a Brahmin.