When is the day of the Matsya avatar?

Matsyavathara Dinam marks Vishnu's first avatar, the fish who saved Manu and the Vedas from the flood. Kurmavathara Dinam marks the second, the tortoise who supported the mountain during the churning of the ocean. They're temple observances in Kerala rather than household festivals, and they sit in the same family as the Dwadashi avatar days.

Kurmavathara Dinam

Malayalam

2026

1 May 2026

Friday · Shukla Purnima

Tithi begins09:13 PM · 30 Apr

Tithi ends10:53 PM

Full panchang for this day

About

Commemorates the Kurma (tortoise) avatar of Lord Vishnu, on the Vaishakha full moon.

Falls on: Chaitra Shukla Tritiya (Matsya) and Vaishakha Purnima (Kurma) in the common reckoning

What it is

Days marking the first and second avatars of Vishnu, the fish that saved Manu and the Vedas from the deluge, and the tortoise that supported Mandara during the churning of the ocean. Observed as Vaishnava temple days rather than household festivals.

Food

Temple offerings; a light fast.

Common questions

When is the day of the Matsya avatar?: Matsyavathara Dinam marks Vishnu's first avatar, the fish who saved Manu and the Vedas from the flood. Kurmavathara Dinam marks the second, the tortoise who supported the mountain during the churning of the ocean. They're temple observances in Kerala rather than household festivals, and they sit in the same family as the Dwadashi avatar days.

Kurmavathara Dinam date in 2025 Kurmavathara Dinam date in 2027