Kurma Jayanti

The festival of Kurma Jayanti is celebrated as the birth of Lord Vishnu in the form of a turtle, which is called 'Koorm' in Sanskrit language. It falls on the 'full moon' in the month of 'Vaishakh' in the Hindu calendar. In the English calendar, this date falls between May and June. According to Hindu legends, it is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu raised the huge Mandaranchal mountain on his back during the 'Ksheer Sagar Manthan' in the avatar of 'Kurm'.

Since then, the Koram Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Kurma (tortoise). This form is known as the second incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu and Hindu devotees worship him with full devotion and dedication on this day. On the day of Kurm Jayanti, special prayers are offered in temples of Lord Vishnu across the country. The celebration at Sri Kurmanath Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh is very grand and the festival attracts devotees from far and wide. In 2021, this jubilee will be celebrated on Wednesday, 26 May.

Ritual during Kurm Jayanti

On the day of Kurm Jayanti, devotees fast with great reverence. The fast starts from the previous night and is kept for the whole day. Those following the Koram Jayanti fast do not sleep all night and recite 'Vishnu Sahasranama' and other Vedic mantras. Lord Vishnu is worshiped on this day with devotion and affection.

Devotees pray to their masters to get divine blessings to remove obstacles in life and ensure prosperity and success. On the Kurm Jayanti, devotees visit the temples of Lord Vishnu in the evening and perform rituals held there. Donating to Brahmins is also an important event of the day. Donate food, money, clothes or any other essential item of life to charity.

Thus, on the 26th of May in 2021, the Koram Jayanti, considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu, will be celebrated on Wednesday. On this day, devotees keep a fast and pray for happiness and peace in life.

Importance of Kurm Jayanti

Kuram Jayanti is an auspicious festival for Hindus. On this day, the Kurma avatar of Lord Vishnu is revered by Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, during the astronomical event of Ksheer Samudra Manthan, the Mandaranchal mountain was used for churning the sea. However, when the mountain began to sink, Lord Vishnu emerged as a giant turtle and placed the mountain on his back. Therefore, without the Kurma avatar, 'Kshirsagar' could not be churned. Therefore, the Kurm Jayanti holds great religious significance for Hindus and the devotees express their gratitude for the greatness of Lord Vishnu.