Kurma Shaligram Murti II (Painted)

The word Kurma means Turtle/Tortoise. In Kurma Avatar, Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as a Turtle, the second avatar of Lord Vishnu. Legend has it that during the churning of the cosmic ocean for Amrit (elixir of immortality) between the Asuras and Devas, Mt. Mandara was sinking, Lord Vishnu manifested into the Kurma Avatar to provide a foundation to the mountain and save it from sinking and thereby helping in completion of the churning. The Kurma Avatar represents cosmic equilibrium,. The Kurma Avatar bestows blessings of self confidence, good fortune, harmony and longevity. The iconography of this avatar is half Tortoise and half Lord Vishnu\'s body.

This rare idol of Kurma Avatar is made from the Shaligram stone. Etched exquisitely, the idol has the Tortoise at the bottom portion of the idol in vertical position and Lord Vishnu emerging from it. The carving clearly shows His right hand raised in the Abhaya mudra of blessing and His left hand in the Varada mudra (granting boons). The Sudarshan Chakra and the Shankh (conch shell) are held in His two upper arms, symbolizing protection for His devotees. The texture and colour of the Shaligram stone adds to the elegant look of the idol. The back of the idol has naturally formed spiral fossil mark , which is a signature mark of a genuine Shaligram stone.

The Shaligram is a sacred stone worshipped by the Hindus , especially by the Vaishnavas (a denomination of Hinduism who worship Lord Vishnu and all His avatars) and is said to represent Lord Vishnu. This sacred stone is found in the Gandaki Kali River in Nepal. The Shaligram is worshipped for six values of life :- righteous living, wealth, protection, good health, pleasures and spiritual growth.

This Shaligram Lord Kurma idol blesses and brings the dual attributes of the Shaligram stone and Lord Kurma\'s blessings of self confidence, longevity, good fortune, harmony. This is a desirable idol for every home and can be kept in the puja alter. 

Height: 1.9 inches 
Base Dimension: 1.1 (L) x 0.8 (W) inches 
Weight: 41 gms