Matsya Dwadashi
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Matsya Dwadshi or Matsya Dwadshi is festival that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated on the twelfth day of Shukla Paksh in the Margshirsh month. Matsya Dwadshi is observed in remembrance of Lord Vishnu's first incarnation on earth as a Matsya or Fish in the Sata Yuga. The Hindu legend describes Lord Vishnu's 'Matsya Avatar' as a one-horned Matsya or Fish that had appeared during the 'Mahapralay'. Several special poojas and prayers are done on this pious day of Matsya Dwadshi. The 'Nagalpuram Veda Narayan Swamy Temple' located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh is a temple solely dedicated towards the Matsya avatar of Lord Vishnu.
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It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu on Matsya Dwadshi rids the person of all his/her sins. On Matsya Dwadshi one should begin the day by waking up early, taking a bath and visiting a Lord Vishnu temple. The devotees should fast for the whole day and should worship Lord Vishnu by lightning incense sticks and offering flowers and fruits. The devotees should also read Vishnu Sahasranamam to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu. The devotees can break their fast after the sunrise on the next day of Triyodashi after worshipping Lord Vishnu. While men observe Matsya Dwadshi and pray for good health, wealth and prosperity, women pray for the happiness and well being of their spouse and children. It is advisable to devotees to make donations and do charity on the holy occasion of Matsya Dwadshi.
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The story of Matsya Dwadshi is an interesting one. During the Sat Yuga, a king named Manu performed severe penance in order to please Lord Vishnu. One day when the king was at the Kritamala river, a small fish appeared in his hands and just as the king was about to put it back in the water the fish requested the king not to do so as it was afraid of the other big fishes. The king then decided to carry the fish back with him and put it in a jar. But soon the fish grew too big for the jar so the king decided to put it in the pond. But the fish kept growing and became too big even for an ocean. The king was amazed by this and upon his request the fish revealed it's actual form. Soon Lord Vishnu appeared in front of the king and warned him about an upcoming flood that would engulf everything. Lord Vishnu advised the king to build a boat and gather all the wise men and all kinds of seeds. Lord Vishnu also instructed to use the serpent Vasuki as a rope and tie it to the horn of the boat. Lord Vishnu assured the Matsya would take care of the boat. After this the Matsya disappeared. The king did as instructed and made all the necessary arrangements. One day heavy rainfall poured down on earth and Matsya-the one horned fish reappeared. The king tied the serpent to the boat and fish took them towards the Himavan Mountain where the king was blessed with the knowledge of Puranas, Samhitas and eternal truth.