Kurma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kurma
Incarnation of Vishnu as a Turtle
Affiliation	Avatar of Vishnu

Kurma (pronounced Koor-mah) is a special form, or avatar, of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is the second of Vishnu's ten main avatars. Vishnu takes on different forms like Kurma when the world faces big problems. His goal is to help bring back balance and order to the universe.

Kurma is often shown as a giant tortoise. Sometimes, he is pictured as a being that is half-man and half-tortoise. You can often spot these images on the ceilings or walls of Vaishnava temples. As a powerful turtle, Kurma represents strength and stability.

There are four temples in India specially built for this turtle form of Vishnu. These temples are found in places like Kurmai, Sri Kurmam, Gavirangapur, and Swarupnarayan. The village of Kurmai even got its name from an old temple there, dedicated to Kurma Varadarajaswamy, who is Lord Vishnu in his Kurma avatar. This temple is located in Srikurmam.

Images for kids

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  Kurmavatara, tortoise incarnation of Vishnu, from Garhwa, Prayagraj District

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  Kurma with Sesa holding the Earth (left), Varaha (right), and Vishnu (below, centre).

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  Kasyapa Muni, one of the Saptarishi (Seven Rishis) during the reign of the sixth (and current) Manu, Chakshusha.

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  The Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu also known as 'Sri'.

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  the Dashavatara, or ten principle avatars of Vishnu.

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  The sage Bṛhaspati, who curses Indra in some accounts of the Samudra manthan.

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  Mohini, the female enchantress avatar of Vishnu.

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  Kurma avatar at Saptashrungi of Shaktism

See also

In Spanish: Kurmá para niños