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Home > Bharatavarsha > Pilgrimages and Temples > Pilgrimages and Temples of Lord Varaha

Pilgrimages and Temples of Lord Varaha

Introduction:

Lord Varaha is the 3rd incarnation among the ten major incarnations of Lord Vishnu (Dasavataras) who are widely remembered and quoted. Lord Varaha is the 2nd incarnation among the series of incarnations of Lord Vishnu mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam. The major purpose of the incarnation of Lord Varaha was to lift the Earth submerged inside the Great Ocean (Maha Arnava of Rasatala) and vanquish demon Hiranyaksha.

When Lord Brahma instructed Swayambhuva Manu to engage in the process of creation, Manu requested Lord Brahma to lift the Earth which was submerged in the great Waters (Maha-Ambhasi). Seeing the Earth submerged in water while he was engaged in the process of creation, Lord Brahma contemplated on how the Earth could be lifted. While Brahma was thus contemplating, the Lord assuming the form of a miniature Varaha suddenly came out of the nostrils of Brahma. Then he grew to the size of an elephant and became situated in the sky. The Lord awakened Harsha (Spiritual Joy) in Brahma and the great sages by roaring with his tumultuous voice. That reverberating voice of the Lord destroyed the layer of self-dejection created by Maya from the minds, and the residents of the Jana, Tapa and Satya Loka started chanting the Vedas. Thus the roar of Lord Varaha penetrates our inner being, destroys the layers of Maya and brings about Spiritual Joy.

Diving into the Ocean with great force and spitting it with his hooves raising huge waves, the Lord saw the Earth within the Ocean. The Lord lifted the Earth by his tusks and came out of the Waters. He was looking beautiful. He assumed a bluish complexion like a Tamala tree. The Lord raised the Earth amidst the chanting and eulogy of the residents of the Jana, Tapa and Satya Loka, and placed it upon the Waters. Thus the lifting of the Earth from the Ocean of Rastala was the initial celebration of Creation. Bhumi Devi is the consort of Lord Varaha and Lord Varaha is also described as Yajna Varaha (where his form is compared with the process of Yajna). In the Vedas, Earth and Yajna are connected, and Yajna (bringing together of divine forces for joy and sustenance) sustains life. Thus Lord Varaha as Yajna Varaha also represents the Sustaining power of life.

Learning about the whereabouts of the Lord, Hiranyaksha went to his presence for a combat. He saw the Varaha incarnation of the Lord bearing the Earth on his tusks and moving upwards. The demon challenged the Lord with abusive words and said that he has no right to take the Earth which was entrusted to the inhabitants of the region. Seeing the Earth frightened, the Lord first took her upwards. The demon thinking that the Lord is fleeing chased him like an alligator. The Lord placed the Earth on the water. Lord Brahma and Devas extolled the Lord and showered flowers on him. The Lord now faced demon Hiranyaksha for a combat. Demon Hiranyaksha was destined to die on the hands of the Lord. Demon Hiranyaksha represents power with arrogance in its fullness. Thus Lord Varaha is also the destroyer of arrogance.

Lord Varaha is an early incarnation of Lord Vishnu who establishes the order of Creation. He brings Spiritual Joy to the residents of the higher Lokas (Jana, Tapa and Satya Loka) who understood his real Nature. For the devotees, He is the form of Yajna and receiver of Yajna. His roar destroys arrogance and penetrates the layers of Maya. Once the Maya is penetrated, one can feel the divine form of the Lord.

There are many similarities between Lord Varaha and Lord Narasimha. Both have a fearsome appearance. Both destroyed the highly powerful demon brothers Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu - Lord Varaha slayed Hiranyaksha and Lord Narasimha slayed Hiranyakashipu. Both are connected with highly revered pilgrimages of Lord Vishnu - Lord Varaha is connected with Venkatachala and Lord Narasimha with Jagannath Puri. Both are associated with Yajna - Lord Varaha as Yajna-Murti and Lord Narasimha with the Yajna of king Indradyumna in Purushotthama Kshetra. Both are often worshipped in a single form of Varaha-Narasimha.

This article classifies the Pilgrimages of Lord Varaha into the following groups:

(1) Pilgrimages related to the Appearance and Deeds of Lord Varaha

(2) Divya Desams of Lord Varaha

(3) Other famous Pilgrimages of Lord Varaha

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(1) Pilgrimages related to the Appearance and Deeds of Lord Varaha:

(2) Divya Desams of Lord Varaha:

(3) Other famous Pilgrimages of Lord Varaha:

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• Stotras of Lord Varaha

• Incarnation - Deeds of Lord Varaha

• Scriptures of Lord Varaha

• Pilgrimages of Lord Varaha

• Festivals of Lord Varaha

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Last updated on Jun-2026

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