Kurma Jayanti is the celebration of the birth of Lord Vishnu in the form of a tortoise. A tortoise in Sankrit is known as kurma. It falls on a full moon day during the month of ‘Vaishakh’ according to the Hindu calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, this date falls sometime in between May-June. Lord Vishnu is believed to have lifted the gigantic Mandaranchal Parvat on his back during the ‘Ksheera Sagara Manthan’. Since then Kurma Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Kurma. This form is known to be second incarnation of Sri Hari Vishnu. Hindus pray to him religiously on this day with full gaiety, devotion, and dedication. On the auspicious day, special pujas and ceremonies are held in Lord Vishnu temples all across the country. The festivity at the ‘Sri Kurman Sri Kurmanatha Swami Temple’ in Andhra Pradesh is quite well known, grand and devotees from all over the world attend this event.

On the day of Kurma Jayanti, devotees observe a fast. It begins from a night before and continues till the next day. Devotees don’t sleep throughout the night. They chant the ‘Vishnu sahasranaam’ and other mantras. Devotees pray to their lord to seek divine blessings for removing obstacles in life and also ensuring prosperity and success.

On Kurma Jayanti devotees visit Lord Vishnu temples in the evening and witness the rituals held there. Offering donations or charity to Brahmins is also an important event of the day. Donations can be in the form of food, money, clothes or any other essentials of life and should depend on one’s financial capacity.

Kurma Jayanti is an auspicious festival for Hindus. According to legends, once the mountains of Mandaranchal was used for churning the ocean. Slowly the mountain began to sink, Lord Vishnu emerged as a Lord Kurma and held the mountain on his back, a shell. Therefore without this Kurma Avatar, the ‘Ksheersagara’ could not be churned and the 14 divine gifts or ‘ratnas’ would not have been bestowed to the Gods or ‘Devas’.

Kurma Jayanti holds immense religious importance for Hindus. Devotees express their gratitude and devotion towards Lord Vishnu. The day of Kurma Jayanti is considered auspicious for starting construction work. According to the popular abelief about Yogmaya residing with Lord Kurma. This day is even considered lucky for shifting into a new house or work related to Vaastu.