Sri Kurmanatha Swamy temple , Srikurmam, Andhra Pradesh 532404

Sri Kurmanatha Swamy temple , Srikurmam, Andhra Pradesh 532404 - History , Timings , How to reach

Sri Kurmanatha Swamy Temple situated in Srikurmam village of Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most important Vaishnavite temples in South India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is believed to have a history of more than a thousand years. According to temple traditions and inscriptions, the temple gained prominence during the rule of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, especially under King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, who contributed to its development. The temple showcases beautiful Kalinga-style architecture and remains an important pilgrimage center for devotees. Festivals such as Kurma Jayanti, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, and other Vishnu-related celebrations are observed with great devotion, drawing thousands of devotees every year.

The Sri Kurmanatha Swamy Temple, also known as Srikurmam Temple, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Kurma, the second avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is located in Srikurmam village in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This sacred shrine holds a unique place in Indian temple history as it is the only ancient temple in the world dedicated to the Kurma (tortoise) incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the Kurma Purana, the origins of this holy site date back to the Kruta Yuga, when the region was believed to be a vast lake where King Swetha Maharaja performed intense penance for over a thousand years seeking the vision of Lord Vishnu. Pleased with his devotion, the Lord manifested from the waters in the form of a Swayambhu Kurma (self-manifested tortoise). The sacred lake formed at the site later came to be known as Swetha Pushkarini, the temple’s holy tank, which is considered extremely sacred. Tradition holds that the waters of this pushkarini have the power to transform the ashes of the departed into Salagrama stones, making the temple a revered Moksha Sthanam, comparable in spiritual significance to Varanasi. Historically, the temple is believed to have been built before the 11th century CE and represents a remarkable fusion of Kalinga and Dravidian architectural styles. According to the earliest inscriptions and the text Prapannamrutam, the temple underwent a major transformation in 1035 CE during the reign of Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty of Odisha, when it was converted into a Vaishnava temple from an earlier Shaivite shrine. The temple complex flourished under the patronage of the Eastern Ganga rulers, and the perambulatory corridors (pradakshina mandapa) were constructed during the reign of King Anangabhima Deva III. Later, the temple became an important centre of Vaishnavism, particularly due to the influence of Sri Ramanujacharya, who helped establish the identity of the deity as the Kurma avatar of Lord Vishnu. In the medieval period, the temple also emerged as a significant centre for the Madhwa tradition, especially through the efforts of Narahari Tirtha, a disciple of Madhvacharya, who played a key role in strengthening Vaishnavite religious activities in the region. Architecturally, the temple is renowned for its 108 exquisitely carved single-stone (Ekasila) pillars, each featuring a unique design with no two pillars resembling one another. Another distinctive feature of the temple is the presence of two Dhwajasthambas (flagstaffs), which is unusual in temple architecture. This arrangement exists because the presiding deity uniquely faces west, which is rare for Vaishnava temples, requiring entrance and exit markers aligned with the orientation of the deity. The sanctum of the temple contains both a tortoise-shaped representation of Kurma and an anthropomorphic form of Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi, who is worshipped here as Kurmanayaki. The walls of the pradakshina mandapa are adorned with centuries-old mural paintings in the traditional Orissan Pattachitra style, created using natural vegetable dyes and depicting scenes from sacred texts such as the Bhagavata Purana. These murals are considered rare artistic treasures that have survived for generations due to the temple’s thick walls and relatively secluded location. The temple follows both Shaivite and Vaishnavite traditions of worship, reflecting its historical transition between the two sects. One of the most unique practices here is the daily Abhishekam (sacred bath) offered to the deity, a ritual typically associated with Lord Shiva temples but performed here for Lord Vishnu. The temple complex also includes a tortoise conservation park, established to protect and preserve Indian Star Tortoises, symbolically honoring the Kurma avatar. Although the temple primarily features Vaishnava iconography, it also reverentially includes icons of Shaiva deities such as Lord Shiva and Ganesha, as well as Shakti deities including Lakshmi and Durga, reflecting the inclusive spiritual traditions followed here. The temple conducts four daily rituals and several annual festivals, among which the three-day Dolotsavam festival is the most prominent and attracts a large number of devotees. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowments Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, while the Gajapathi rulers of Vizianagaram serve as its traditional trustees. In recognition of its historical and cultural importance, the Indian Postal Department issued a commemorative stamp featuring the Sri Kurmanatha Swamy Temple on 11 April 2013. Today, the temple continues to be an important pilgrimage centre where devotees come to witness the rare Kurma form of Lord Vishnu, offer prayers for ancestral liberation, and experience the spiritual significance of this ancient Moksha Kshetra.

🚌By Road: Located about 13–15 km from Srikakulam town. APSRTC buses run every 10–15 minutes from the Srikakulam Main Bus Complex.

🚉By Rail: The nearest station is Srikakulam Road (CHE) at Amadalavalasa, about 25 km from the temple.

🛩️By Air: Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ) is the closest, approximately 115 km away.

🛕Lord Kurmanatha Swamy, the second avatar of Vishnu. The idol is a large Salagrama stone shaped like a tortoise. Uniquely, the deity faces West, which is rare for Vaishnava temples.

🛕Sri Kurmanayaki, who is housed in a separate shrine within the complex.

🛕Two Dhwajasthambas: Unlike most Vishnu temples, this one features two flagstaffs (East and West) because the Lord faces West.

🛕The temple boasts 108 exquisitely carved pillars, with no two pillars being identical. It also contains centuries-old Mural Paintings (similar to Ajanta) made from natural vegetable colors.

🌹One of the most distinct aspects of this temple is that Abhishekam (sacred bath) is performed daily on the main deity, a practice usually reserved for Shiva temples.

🌹Daily Abhishekam: Performed in the early hours. Devotees can participate by purchasing a ticket (approx. ₹100–₹200).

🌹Kalyanam: Regular celestial weddings are performed for the Lord and His consort.

🌹Ancestral Rites: The temple’s sacred tank, Swetha Pushkarini, is considered a "Moksha Sthanam." People perform last rites here, similar to Varanasi, as it is believed the ashes deposited in the water eventually turn into Salagramas.

🌹Dolotsavam (Brahmotsavam): The biggest festival, celebrated for three days starting on Phalguna Purnima (Holi). It attracts over 30,000 pilgrims.

🌹Kurma Jayanthi: The appearance day of the Lord, celebrated on Jyeshta Bahula Dwadasi.

🌹Annual Kalyanotsavam: Celebrated on Vaisakha Suddha Ekadasi.

🌹Mukkoti Ekadasi: A major event involving the opening of the Vaikunta Dwaram.