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Kurma Jayanthi: Celebrating the Tortoise Avatar of Vishnu
In Hindu mythology, the ‘Kurma Avatara’, is the second ‘avatara’ among the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Kurma means tortoise in Sanskrit. Lord Vishnu in the form of ‘Kurma’ came into being during Satya Yuga, primarily known for His divine role supporting the mount Mandara at the time of churning of the Ocean of Milk (i.e., samudra madhanam) to obtain the nectar (i.e., ‘Amrut’) for immortality.
Sri Kurma Jayanthi on 12-05-2025
The ‘Kurma avatara’, a form of Lord Vishnu depicted as a giant tortoise who played a crucial role in the process of ‘Samudra Manthanam.’
It is observed on the Sukla Paksha Purnima (Full Moon Day) of the Vaisakha month according to the Hindu calendar. Lord Kurma, the divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who took the form of a tortoise to rescue the ‘devatas’ and uphold ‘dharma’ in the course of ‘samudra madhanam.’
At this decisive moment, Lord Vishnu in the form of Kurma supported the Mount Mandhara, which was used as a churning rod on His back to prevent it from sinking.
The gods and demons churned the Ocean of Milk successfully and obtained the nectar of immortality (Amrita). There is a temple in Srikurmam, a village in Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, devoted to this incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The statue of Kurma is two feet long, which is made of black stone but appears to be yellow in sandalwood.
Reciting Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram, the verses from the Gita, or Kurma Gayatri Mantra is highly recommended on this religious day, eulogising Lord Vishnu for gaining good results. Besides this, giving to charities and donating food, clothes or money to the poor is also believed to be extremely worthy on this auspicious festival.
It is a day to sow seeds of compassion, humanity and gratitude towards God, the Omniscient, the Omnipresent, who bestows immense grace on the devotees.
The main purpose of Kurma Avatara was to defeat the demons so that they could not secure Amritam in their fight against the gods and ultimately rescue them by all means and restore ‘dharma.’ Kurma Jayanti is considered one of the most auspicious days for starting new projects, embarking on new ventures and asking for blessings of Lord Vishnu for personal and professional success.
It is believed that any positive action initiated on this day has a great potential to bring long-term success and stability to the devotees by the abundant grace of Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of Kurma. Kurma Jayanti is a day with positive cosmic influences that benefit the students and others involved in academic and intellectual activities. It is said to improve concentration and comprehension of difficult ideas and to help in one’s learning and development.
