Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, is known as the preserver and protector of the universe. He is part of the Hindu trinity (Trimurti), which also includes Brahma, the creator, and Shiv, the destroyer. Vishnu is often depicted with a dark blue complexion, wearing a yellow garment, and holding a conch, discus, mace, and lotus in his four hands.

Physical Attributes 

God Vishnu is believed to have blue coloured skin, depicting the vastness and infinity of oceans and skies that he encompasses within his being. He is often found being seated on a lotus, beneath Sheshnag, the king of serpents or even with his consort Laxmi, goddess of good fortune, wealth and beauty.

Vishnu has four hands in which he carries several objects radiating positive energy. These four hands are believed to symbolise multiple things such as the four prominent directions, the four Hindu castes, the Vedas, Hindu religious scriptures, the four ashrams or stages of life:

• Brahmachari – Quest for knowledge or student
• Grihastha – family man leading a home
• Vana Prastha – retreating in the woods
• Sannyasi – complete renunciation of the materialistic world and pleasures, leading a yogic life

His hands also signify the four aims or goals of life:

• Dharma – Duty
• Artha – Materialistic achievements
• Kama – Pleasure, enjoyment, indulgence
• Moksha – Liberation from rebirths

In his four hands, he holds a lotus flower, glorifying purity, a conch shell that produces the sacred sound of “Om”, which was optimised to create the world. The crevices of the conch’s spiral elaborate on how expansive and interwoven the world is. Blowing the conch shell before worship emits positive vibrations. He holds a war weapon in the shape of a mace or gada and it is known as Kaumodaki. There once lived a powerful demon called Gada, who was supremely strong and known for his valiance. With his unmatched powers, he harassed people and remained undefeated. In spite of his nuisance, he was one to grant any boon to those who asked for it. When Vishnu was sent to stop the demon, the former asked for all of Gada’s bones. Since Gada was tough, the mace created from his bones exhibited similar qualities. Lord Vishnu took charge of this weapon and wielded his forces through it.

An energy disc or Sudarshan Chakra is a famous weapon associated with Vishnu. This disc represents the mind, the quick pace at which the thoughts flow inside the human brain is similar to that of the chakra. The preserver uses this to vanquish evil spirits. It is represented as the wheel of time too. It has 108 serrated edges and once it has been released from the hand of Vishnu, it becomes unstoppable till the goal is achieved and task is completed, it cannot be controlled by any other deity either.

Garuda, or an Eagle, who is the king of birds, is Vishu’s vehicle or vahan. Mounting on top of it, he can be anywhere in no time soaring high through the skies.

Vishnu has many names, each reflecting different aspects of his divine nature. Some of his most well-known names include:

1. Narayan – The refuge of all beings.
2. Hari – The one who removes sins.
3. Govind – The one who gives pleasure to the senses and the cows.
4. Madhav – Husband of the goddess of fortune (Lakshmi).
5. Keshav – Slayer of the demon Kesi.
6. Janardan – Protector of humanity.
7. Vasudev – Son of Vasudeva, referring to Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu.
8. Damodar – The one who was tied with a rope around his belly.
9. Madhusudan – Slayer of the demon Madhu.
10. Chaturbhuj – The one with four arms.

Worshipping Lord Vishnu can be done daily, but there are specific days and times considered especially auspicious for his worship. Here are some key times to worship Vishnu:

1. Ekadashi is the eleventh day of both the waxing and waning phases of the lunar cycle, occurring twice a month. It is one of the most important days for Vishnu worship.
2. Thursdays (Guruvar) are traditionally dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. Devotees perform special prayers, offer yellow-colored foods, and chant Vishnu’s names on this day.
3. Janmashtami, celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Krushna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu.
4. Ram Navami, This festival marks the birth of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu.
5. Chaturmas, A four-month period during the rainy season when Lord Vishnu is believed to be in a state of meditation.

One of the most popular prayers dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the Vishnu Sahasranama, which means “the thousand names of Vishnu.” It is a revered chant that lists 1,000 names of Vishnu, each signifying his different attributes and aspects. This prayer is found in the Mahabharat and is often recited for spiritual growth, protection, and peace.

Vaikunth (Spiritual Abode) is considered the ultimate spiritual abode of Vishnu, representing a realm of eternal bliss and liberation. On earth, several places are revered as earthly manifestations of Vaikunth, where Vishnu’s presence is felt strongly.

Char Dham, or the four abodes, are among the most sacred pilgrimage sites dedicated to Vishnu and his incarnations. These include:

• • Badrinath (Uttarakhand): Dedicated to Vishnu in his form as Badrinarayan.
  • Dwarka (Gujarat): Associated with Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu.
  • Puri (Odisha): Home to the Jagannath temple, another form of Krushna.
  • Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu): Though primarily associated with Lord Shiv, it is also linked to Lord Ram, an incarnation of Vishnu.

Visiting these Dhams is believed to cleanse one’s sins and lead to spiritual liberation.

Dashavatar

Vishnu had taken over 10 manifestations to restore dharma, religion, guiding the traits of righteousness and justice. Through these incarnations, he sometimes inspired courage and change in others, like in Mahabharat and during other births he took matters into his own hands for good to prevail.

Out of all, these are the majorly celebrated and documented ten avatars or dashavatar of Vishnu, various forms that he embodied to restore good over evil in the Universe.

• Matsya (Fish)
  It is believed that the Biblical reference of Noah and the Arc is similar to this incident where Matsyavatara, a fish, drags an entire boat of all living beings, the Saptrishi or great seven sages, birds, animals and plants through a thunderstorm to safety when the world is about to end. The world is then recreated by Brahma.
• Kurma (Turtle)
  During Samudramanthan, the churning of the milky ocean, for a potion of immortality, Mount Manadar was about to sink in the currents of the water body. Vishnu, in the form of Kurma the turtle, carried the entire mountain on his sturdy back and saved it.
• Varaha (Boar)
  Vishnu took this third avatar as a boar to kill a demon named Hiranyaksha who dragged the goddess Earth to the bottom of the ocean. Vahara saved and rescued her by carrying her back on his massive tusks.
  
• Narsimha (Half man, half lion)
  This half man half lion form was personified by Vishnu so he could kill Hiranyakashyap. This demon tried multiple times to kill his own son Prahalad, a devout follower of Vishnu. Although Prahalad was shielded by Vishnu’s powers each time, Hiranyakashyap stayed strong due to his boon granted by Brahma that he can neither be killed by a human nor an animal. Hence to defeat the demon and bring his evil menace to an end, Narsimha was created, a being never witnessed before, part human, part lion.
• Vaman (Dwarf)
  Bali was the king of demons, an extremely arrogant and egoistic king who ruled over the Earth and heavens, forcing even the gods to vacate their homes. Once when he was performing a worshipping ritual, he pompously asked the attendees to ask for whatever they wished as Bali was so rich he could easily provide for anything. This is when Vishnu, in the form of Vamana, a dwarf, appeared and requested three steps of land. A conceited Bali agreed but little did he know that the Vamana would grow into a giant and cover the entire Earth and heavens in just two steps. The third step was onto Bali’s head, pushing him into the depths of hell.
• Parshuram (Hunter)
  This incarnation of Vishnu was to free people from the oppression of the autocratic power of Kshatriyas, warriors, headed by Kartavirya and finish him.
• Ram (Ramayan)
  Ram is the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayan, where he killed Ravan, the demon and chief of Lanka, when the latter kidnapped his wife.
• Krushna (Cow herder)
  This eight avatar of Vishnu is looked upon with endearment by all his followers. Born to Devki and Vasudev, Krishna kills his own uncle Kans, a cruel ruler of Mathura. A cow herder, statesman, warrior, philosopher, teacher, Krishna played all these roles dutifully. He is the one to narrate the sacred texts of Bhagavad Gita, trying to convince Arjun to fight the war of Kurukshetra.
• Buddha
  The founder of Buddhism, Gautam Buddha is believed to be the ninth incarnation of Vishnu. He laid the foundation to the eight path fold, the Buddhist philosophy to attain a peaceful mindset. This form was taken to majorly keep people from being deeply attached to their desires as it is the root cause of sadness and turmoil.
• Kalki
  This avatar of Vishnu is anticipated to appear towards the end of Kali Yug, the present age, in the form of a white horse rider to overpower and end the contamination by evil forces.