In Hindu mythology, Varaha is the boar avatar of Vishnu who rescues the Earth. The story describes the Earth, personified as the goddess Bhudevi, sinking into the cosmic waters after being seized or submerged by the demon Hiranyaksha.
Vishnu appears as a gigantic boar, dives into the waters, and raises the Earth on his tusks. In many versions, he then battles and defeats Hiranyaksha, restoring cosmic order. The rescue is therefore both a creation story and an example of Vishnu’s role as protector.
Varaha is the third of Vishnu’s traditionally numbered ten principal avatars, known as the Dashavatara. Earlier avatars include Matsya, the fish, and Kurma, the tortoise; these figures are sometimes confused because each is linked to a cosmic crisis involving the natural world.
Varaha imagery commonly shows a boar’s head on a human body, holding or supporting Bhudevi. Important accounts appear in texts including the Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Varaha Purana.