Kurma means Tortoise in Sanskrit and is the second of the 10 ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Here is a look at the important temples dedicated to Kurma Avatar of Vishnu. There are only very few temples in India that are exclusively dedicated to Kurma Avatar. Sri Kurmanadha Temple at Srikurmam in Andhra Pradesh The most famous temple in the world dedicated to the Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu is the famous Sri Kurmanadha temple at Srikurmam in Andhra Pradesh. The idol of Kurma worshipped in temple represents the head and body of a tortoise. The idol consists of two feet long two sacred stones coming out of the ground. The Kurma incarnation of Lord Vishnu is associated with the myth of the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan). The temple is believed to have been built before 2nd century AD and it is believed that the temple was revived by Sri Ramanuja Acharya. The temple underwent huge renovation in the 11th century and is noted for its sculptures and architecture. Th