Second avatar of Vishnu happened during the churning of ocean or Samudra Manthan. This incarnation was to help Devas and Asuras in balancing the churning chord. As per Hindu scriptures the second Avatar of Hindu God Vishnu is the Kurma Avatar – which is referred as the turtle incarnation. The story of Kurma avatar is one that symbolically narrates the process of evolution. Information about the Kurma Avatar is mainly found in the Bhagavad Purana (Canto 8 Chapter 7), Agni Purana and Ramayana (Balakanda Chapter). Other resources Story of the Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu Kurma Jayanti Temple Dedicated to the Kurma Incarnation of Lord Vishnu