Believe it or not our little Tortoise also has roots and symbolism in Hinduism. Kurma (Sanskrit: कूर्म; Kūrma, 'turtle', 'tortoise'), also known as 'KurmaRaja' ('Tortoise King') is the second avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, the preserver god in the Hindu Trimurthi (trinity). He appeared in the Satya Yuga as a giant tortoise to save the earth from destruction. His enormous back was said to have provided a foundation for the mythical Mount Mandara, which was used by the gods (and demons) as a churning rod to stir the milk-ocean thereby obtaining the purported nectar of immortality.
