Kurma Jayanthi 2026

Kurma Jayanthi: The Lord Who Held Up the Mountain

Kurma Jayanthi is observed on Vaishakha Pournami, the full moon of Vaishakha masam. It celebrates Kurma, the second of the Dashavatara, when Lord Vishnu took the form of a giant tortoise to support Mount Mandara during the churning of the ocean of milk. Devotees fast and worship Vishnu in His Kurma form on this day.

The Story of Ksheera Sagara Mathanam

Because of a curse of sage Durvasa, the devas lost their strength and prosperity. Lord Vishnu advised them to obtain amrutham, so the devas and asuras joined hands to churn the ocean of milk, using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope. With no base, the mountain began to sink. The Lord then appeared as a mighty tortoise and held the mountain on His back. From the churning came halahala poison, Kamadhenu, Airavatam, Goddess Lakshmi, Dhanvantari and finally the nectar. Kurma stands for patience and steady support for the good of the world.

Srikurmam Temple

The Srikurmam temple in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh is one of the very few ancient shrines where Vishnu is worshipped as Kurmanatha. Special pujas are held there on Kurma Jayanthi and devotees from across north coastal Andhra visit for darshan.

How to Worship at Home

• Bathe early and place a picture of Lord Vishnu or the Kurma avatar in the puja room.
• Decorate with pasupu, kumkuma, sandal paste, tulasi leaves and flowers.
• Light the lamp and recite Vishnu Sahasranamam or a Dashavatara stotram; reading the churning story is also good.
• Offer milk, payasam, fruits, vadapappu and panakam as naivedyam.
• As it is Vaishakha Pournami, giving water, buttermilk or setting up a chalivendram for the thirsty is very meritorious.

Fasting and Significance

Many devotees fast through the day and eat a simple sattvic meal after the evening puja. The tortoise is a symbol of stability and endurance, so people pray to Kurmanatha for a strong foundation in life and at home. In Vastu tradition the Kurma is seen as the supporting power, and some families perform Kurma puja before building a house.

May Lord Kurmanatha, who bears the whole world, bring stability and peace to your life.