Kurma Avatar is Lord Vishnu's incarnation as a tortoise. During the battle between gods and asuras (demons), the gods lost their strength by the curse of sage Durvasa, who had presented a garland to Indra. When he carelessly gave it away to his elephant Airavata he trampled it. Angered by this, the sage cursed the gods and they lost all of their might.

The Devtas approached Vishnu for help. He directed them to churn the ocean of milk using Mt Mandara as the churning rod. He told them to ask the asuras to help them lift the mountain in exchange for a share of the nectar of immortality which would ensue from the churning. Both the devatas and the asuras churned the ocean using the serpent Vasuki as the rope. At the beginning of this endeavor Indra, asked the asuras for the head end of vasuki. But asuras suspecting foul play, took the head end, only to be deceived as the poison from Vasuki was slowly weakening them. But as the churning proceeded the mountain sank. It was then that Lord Vishnu took the form of the tortoise KURMA and kept the mountain afloat.

As soon as the bowl of amrita, the nectar of immortality was out, the asuras grabbed it. Then Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a beautiful maiden, and seduced the asuras into letting her distribute the nectar and also to abide by her order of distribution. As soon as the devatas were served the maiden disappeared thus deceiving the asuras and giving the devas the advantage.

Stability is the key to success at all spheres of life, without which the desired goal cannot be achieved.This object of worship is to obtain support and protection of inner peace along with removal of obstacles to ensure success and prosperity. Yagyas connect you with the supportive and protective aspect of Vishnu and the prosperity that comes from Lakshmi. It is believed that yagyas performed on this day support the fulfillment of all kinds of desires.

On the Kurma Jayanti the Lakshmi Narayana Homam is to be performed.

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