Kurma Jayanti 2024: Confirmed Date, Time, Puja Rituals, Significance And Wishes To Celebrate This Day

By Oneindia Staff

Updated: Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 10:29 [IST]

Kurma Jayanti is a significant Hindu festival celebrated to honour the birth anniversary of the Kurma avatar of Lord Vishnu. This festival is observed on a full moon day in the Vaisakh month, during Shukla Paksha.

This day marks the birth of the Kurma avatar, the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu took this form during the 'Samudra Manthan' or churning of the ocean. The Kurma avatar is depicted as a giant tortoise that lifted the Mandaranchal Parvat on its back. Let us know more about this day.

Kurma Jayanti 2024 Confirmed Date Time Puja Rituals Significance And Wishes To Celebrate This Auspicious Day

Kurma Jayanti 2024: Date And Time

This year Kurma Jayanti will be observed on Wednesday, 23 May 2024. The Purnima Tithi will begin at 06:47 pm on 22 May and conclude at 07:22 PM on 23 May 2024.

Kurma Jayanti 2024: Puja Rituals, Worship Method

Kurma Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the day when Lord Vishnu incarnated as a tortoise. This avatar played a crucial role during the 'Ksheera Sagara Manthan'. It is believed that Lord Vishnu's Kurma avatar lifted the Mandaranchal mountain on his back to help in churning the ocean for Amrit (nectar).

The devotees take a sacred bath before sunrise and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. They use Tulsi, Chandan, Kumkum, flowers, and sweets in their offerings. A strict fast is observed by many devotees, who refrain from consuming cereals or pulses. Only milk products and fruits are allowed during the fast.

They also perform aarti and distribute bhog among family and friends. Those observing the fast stay awake all night, keeping a vigil while reciting the 'Vishnu Sahasranama'. This night vigil is an essential part of the celebration.

The key rituals of Kurma Jayanti include observing a rigorous fast and worshipping Lord Vishnu. Devotees offer Chandan tilak, tulsi, kumkum, incense sticks, flowers, and sweets to seek blessings. After performing aarti, they distribute bhog among their families and friends.

Those who observe the fast do not sleep at night. They keep a night vigil while reciting the 'Vishnu Sahasranama'. This practice signifies their devotion and commitment to Lord Vishnu.

Devotees wear tidy clothes or Puja vastra during Kurma Jayanti celebrations. Wearing clean and traditional attire is considered auspicious while performing rituals and prayers. There are no specific foods associated with Kurma Jayanti. However, those observing the fast avoid cereals and pulses. They consume only milk products and fruits throughout the day.

Kurma Jayanti 2024: Mythological Stories

The kathaa associated with Kurma Jayanti narrates how Lord Vishnu appeared as a turtle during the Samudra Manthan. This event was a battle between Gods (Devtas) and Demons (Asuras) in the sea.

The demons had become powerful under Bali's reign, while Devtas were weakened by Rishi Durvasa's curse on Indra. To regain strength, Lord Vishnu suggested churning the ocean for Amrit using Mandaranchal mountain as the centre and Nagraj Vasuki as the rope.

The mountain started drowning in Ksheer Sagar, so Lord Vishnu incarnated as Kurma avatar to lift it on his back. This act helped in successfully churning the ocean for Amrit.