Varaha

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Varaha
Incarnation of Vishnu as a Boar Sculpture of Varaha from Khajuraho
Devanagari	वाराह
Affiliation	Avatar of Vishnu
Weapon	Chakra and Mace
Consort	Prithvi
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In Hinduism, Varaha (Sanskrit: वाराह) is the third avatar of Vishnu, in the form of a boar. He 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.

1 Temples dedicated to Varaha
2 Other Names
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Temples dedicated to Varaha

Srimushnam - This temple in Tamil Nadu named is considered a swayambhu murthi, as are Tirupati and Badrinath.

Sri Varaham - in Trivandrum, near South Fort.

Varaha (the boar-headed Vishnu avatar), on a Pratihara coin. 850-900 CE. British Museum.

Adi Varaha rescuing Earth

Bhagavata purana decipting Varaha avatar.

Thiruvidandai- In this temple near Chennai Varaha is also called Nityakalyana Perumal. It is famous for marriages and is one of the Divya desam.
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.

ThirukKalvanoor - Aadi Varaha Perumal in Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram.

[Thiruvalavendhai / Valavendhai Piraan / Gnaanapiraan] [1] - Thirukkadalmallai (Mammallapuram) - Aadi Varaha Perumal holding Akhilavalli Thaayaar (Bhudevi) on His right. The only Varaha temple where Perumal holds Thaayaar on His right.