Varahas

Varahas is a term often used to refer to Varaha, the boar avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, or to multiple representations and tellings of that figure. The name Varaha derives from Sanskrit varāha, meaning “boar.” As one of the ten principal avatars of Vishnu, Varaha figures prominently in Vaishnavism and various Puranic narratives, and the plural form can denote different iconographic depictions, temple shrines, or editions of the legend.

In myth, Varaha appears in the creation and preservation cycles of Hindu cosmology. In the tale commonly associated with Varaha, the demon Hiranyaksha kidnaps Bhudevi, the Earth, and drags her into the cosmic ocean. Vishnu takes the form of a great boar, dives into the sea, defeats Hiranyaksha, and lifts Bhudevi back to the surface, restoring order and fertility to the world. This rescue motif underscores themes of dharma, cosmic restoration, and Vishnu’s guardianship of creation. The story is elaborated in various Puranas, with regional and sectarian variations.

Iconography typically presents Varaha as a boar or boar-headed figure, often lifting Bhudevi with his tusks. He is sometimes shown with Lakshmi, his consort, and with standard Vishnu attributes such as the discus and conch. The imagery is widely reproduced in sculpture and temple reliefs, and early examples appear in ancient Indian art, including remains at Odisha’s Udayagiri and Khandagiri.

Varaha reverence persists in temple worship and festival traditions, with Varaha Jayanti marking the avatar’s birthday in some communities. The Varaha story also informs Vaishnava literature, iconography, and ritual practice.