Birthday of Hayagriva, the horse-headed avatar of Vishnu who is the deity of knowledge and the Vedas.

Hayagriva Jayanti, observed on Shravana Purnima, marks the appearance of Hayagriva — the horse-headed avatar of Vishnu who is the deity of knowledge, memory and learning. The Puranas relate that the demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from Brahma while he slept and hid them beneath the ocean; Vishnu assumed the form of Hayagriva, recovered them, and restored the scriptures to the world. He is therefore worshipped as the guardian of learning itself. The day is significant for students, scholars, teachers and anyone whose work depends on memory or intellect. In the Sri Vaishnava tradition Hayagriva is invoked before study, and Vedanta Desika Hayagriva Stotram is recited on this day.

Fasting is not prescribed. Devotees keep a satvik diet and take a meal after the puja. Students often fast until the book worship is complete.