Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Kurmanatha Swamy Temple at Srikurmam, in Gara mandal of Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, is one of the very few temples in India dedicated to the Kurma (tortoise) avatara of Lord Vishnu – the second of his ten incarnations. It stands near the coast, about 15 km from Srikakulam town, and is among the most ancient and important Vaishnava shrines of north coastal Andhra. The temple is revered both as a rare avatara kshetram and as a treasure of history and art.
Main Deity
The presiding deity is Sri Kurmanatha Swamy – Lord Vishnu in the form of a tortoise. According to tradition, the Lord took this form to support Mount Mandara on his back during the churning of the cosmic ocean (Ksheera Sagara Mathanam), so that the gods could obtain amrita. The deity here is regarded as self-manifested (Swayambhu), and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as Sri Kurmanayaki. An unusual feature of the temple is that the main deity faces west, and the temple has flagstaffs (dhwajasthambhams) on both the east and the west sides – a very rare arrangement among Vishnu temples.
Sthala Puranam (Legend)
According to the legend of the place, a devout king named Swetha performed long penance here, praying to see Lord Vishnu. Pleased with his devotion, the Lord appeared before him in the form of Kurma, and at the king's request remained at this place forever. The sacred tank of the temple, Swetha Pushkarini, is named after this king. Pilgrims bathe in its waters, and many families perform rites for their ancestors here, believing that the tank grants them peace and liberation.
History, Inscriptions and Art
Srikurmam is one of the most important historical sites of the region. The temple walls and pillars carry a large number of old inscriptions in Telugu, Odia and Sanskrit, recording gifts, endowments and events across many centuries, especially from the time of the Eastern Ganga kings who ruled Kalinga. The temple also has links with the great Vaishnava teachers – it is associated with Sri Ramanujacharya and with Sri Narahari Tirtha of the Madhva tradition, whose inscriptions are found here.
The temple is admired for its many carved pillars and for the old murals on its walls, depicting scenes from the Puranas and the life of the Lord, which are rare surviving examples of traditional temple painting in Andhra Pradesh.
Tortoise Sanctuary
In keeping with the Lord's tortoise form, the temple maintains a tortoise sanctuary in its grounds, where many tortoises – including the beautiful star tortoise – are cared for. Visitors, especially children, enjoy seeing them, and the sanctuary reflects the respect for all living beings that is part of the temple's tradition.
Festivals
- Kurma Jayanti (May–June): the appearance day of the Kurma avatara, celebrated with special pujas and abhishekam.
- Dolotsavam (Phalguna Pournami, February–March): the Lord's swing festival, held around Holi, a major celebration here.
- Vaikuntha Ekadasi (December–January): special darshan through the northern gateway.
Temple Timings
- The temple is generally open in the morning and again in the evening, with a break in the afternoon.
- Timings change on festival days. Please check locally before your visit.
How to Reach
By Road: Srikurmam is about 15 km from Srikakulam town and about 120 km from Visakhapatnam. APSRTC buses and autos run from Srikakulam.
By Train: the nearest railway station is Srikakulam Road (Amadalavalasa), on the Visakhapatnam–Howrah line, about 25 km away.
By Air: the nearest airport is Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (VTZ) at Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district – the new airport serving Visakhapatnam – about 85 km away by road.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional attire is recommended.
- Don't miss: the murals, the inscriptions, the Swetha Pushkarini tank and the tortoise sanctuary.
- Best time to visit: October to March, when the coastal weather is pleasant.
- Nearby places: Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple at Arasavalli (the Sun temple), Srimukhalingam, Kalingapatnam beach, and – on the way from Visakhapatnam – Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.
