Kurma Dwadasi is a vrat dedicated to Kurma avatara of Lord Vishnu. Kurma Avatar (tortoise incarnation) is the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu among the Lord’s Dashavatara. It falls on Shukla Paksha Dwadasi in Poush month. In 2012, Kurma Dwadasi date is January 6, the following day of Vaikunta Ekadasi (Mukkoti Ekadasi / Putrada Ekadashi).
As Dwadasha Dwadashi (each Shukla Paksha Dwadasi) are considered auspicious occasions to perform Vrata.
Special Pujas and Abhishekams are performed at Srikurmam Kurmanatha Swamy Temple in Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. It is the only temple which is solely dedicated to Kurma incarnation of Sri Hari.
Kurma Jayanti is another special vrata dedicated to Lord Kurmanatha Swamy.
