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Varaha


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Varaha
Incarnation of Vishnu as a Boar Sculpture of Varaha from Khajuraho
Incarnation of Vishnu as a Boar

Sculpture of Varaha from Khajuraho

Devanagari: वाराह
Affiliation: Avatar of Vishnu
Weapon: Chakra and Mace
Consort: Prithvi

Varaha (Sanskrit: वाराह) is the third avatar of Vishnu, in the form of a boar, who appeared in order to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had taken the Earth (prthivi) and carried it to the bottom of what is described as the cosmic ocean in the story. The battle between Lord Varaha and Hiranyaksha is believed to have lasted for a thousand years, which the former finally won. Varaha carried the Earth out of the ocean between his tusks and restored it to its place in the universe. Vishnu married Prithvi (Bhudevi) in this avatar.

Varaha is depicted in art as either purely animal or as being anthropomorphic, having a boar's head on a man's body. In the latter form he has four arms, two of which hold the wheel and conch-shell while the other two hold a mace, sword or lotus or make a gesture (or "mudra") of blessing. The Earth is held between the boar's tusks.

The avatar symbolizes the resurrection of the Earth from a pralaya (deluge) and the establishment of a new kalpa (cosmic cycle).

The Varaha Purana is a Purana in which the form of narration is a recitation by Varaha.

Temples dedicated to Varaha

Varaha (the boar-headed Vishnu avatar), on a Pratihara coin. 850-900 CE. British Museum.
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Varaha (the boar-headed Vishnu avatar), on a Pratihara coin. 850-900 CE. British Museum.
  • Tirupati - Sri VarahaMurthy Temple at Tirupati is considered to be a very ancient temple. Pilgrims should first worship Lord Varaha and then Lord Venkateswara. It is also know as Aadhi Varaha Kshetra.

Other Names

  • Bhuvaraghan
  • Varaghan
  • Varha
  • YagnaVaraha
  • SreeVaraham
  • AdhiVaraha

See also

External links


 
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