Karmandir करमंदिरहिंदीGet the app

Matsya Dwadashi

Vishnu ji

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
ShareTelegramXFacebook
Matsya Dwadashi

Why it is celebrated

On Margashirsha Shukla Dwadashi, the day after Mokshada Ekadashi, Matsya (the fish), the first avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu, is worshipped. As Matsya, the Lord protected the seeds of creation, the rishis and the Vedas during the great flood. Those who kept the Ekadashi fast worship Narayan today and then break their fast.

The story

Long ago there was a righteous king named Satyavrat. One day, as he offered water in his cupped hands in the Kritamala river, a tiny fish came into his palm. The fish said, 'O king, save me from the bigger fish.'

The kind king put it in his kamandal and took it with him. But the fish grew so fast that the kamandal became too small. The king moved it to a pot, then a well, then a lake, and finally released it into the sea. Everywhere it grew bigger still.

The king understood that this was no ordinary fish. When he asked with folded hands, Bhagwan Vishnu revealed himself and said, 'In seven days the great flood will come. A boat will arrive then. Board it with the seven rishis and seeds and herbs of every kind.'

When the flood came, Lord Matsya had the boat tied to his horn with a great serpent as the rope and carried it to safety. All along the way he taught the king and the rishis, and he also kept the Vedas safe. This King Satyavrat later became known as Vaivasvat Manu.

Puja vidhi

  1. If you kept the Ekadashi fast, bathe on Dwadashi morning and worship Bhagwan Vishnu.
  2. Place a picture of Vishnu ji on a chowki, and a picture of the Matsya avatar if you have one.
  3. Set out four kalash filled with water and flowers, seen as the four oceans, and worship them.
  4. Offer yellow flowers, tulsi, incense, a lamp and bhog, and chant 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'.
  5. Many people feed small balls of dough or grain to fish in a river or pond today.
  6. After the puja, give daan as you are able, and then break your fast.

Food

Simple sattvic food, kheer and fruit to break the fast; always add a tulsi leaf to the bhog.

Wishes to send

  • Greetings on Matsya Dwadashi! May Shri Hari, who kept creation safe even in the great flood, steer the boat of your life too.

  • A king showed kindness to a tiny fish, and he saw the Lord. Kindness is never small. Happy Matsya Dwadashi!

  • Pranam to the Matsya avatar. May your home stay full of wisdom, peace and devotion.

  • Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. On this holy Dwadashi, may Shri Hari's grace be with you.

  • Just as the Lord kept the Vedas and the seeds safe, let us also treasure good values and good teachings.

  • However high life's waves rise, Shri Hari's name is our support. Greetings on Matsya Dwadashi!

For your status

Festivals