SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT TOURISM

SRIKURMAM – TORTOISE

Kurma Avataar ( Tortoise Incarnation ) is the second incarnation of the famous Dasa Avataaraas of Lord Sri Mahaa Vishnu. This episode, as appearing in the 8^th Chapter (Skandha) of Bhaagavatam, is famous with the name “ Ksheera Saagara Madhanam" , Meaning  "Churning Of The Celestial Milk Seas”. It happened during the sixth Manu of Sweta Varaaha Kalpa – Chakshusha ( More than 12 crore years back, as per Vedic Calender) - and took place in the Milkyway Galaxy containing our Solar Planetary system. 

Subsequently, During Kruta Yuga of 28^th Mahaa Yuga of Seventh Manu – Vaivaswata     ( More than 20 lakh years back, as per Vedic Calender ), Lord Sri Maha Vishnu remanifested in Srikurmam in Kurma Avataar (Tortoise) Form to fulfill the wish of a pious king – Sweta Maharaj. Lord Brahma (The Universal Creator) constructed a Temple for the Lord..And for Centuries, the Srikurmam Temple is known to be home to many Tortoises, freely grazing around fear lessly and feeding on the Prasadams doled out by the Devotees of Lord.

Tortoises, as a Species, are found around the World, in sea as well as on earth. They are known for their Stoic, Steady & Blissful Living. They breathe only about 5 times per minute compared to about 40 times of Rabbits, and live for a maximum of about 500 years. Though their brain is less than one percent of their Body Weight, they are known for excellent sensitivity to Earth’s Magnetic Field. They swim thousands of miles to identify specific Sand beds on the Shore to lay eggs and the mother Tortoise returns without hatching. Hatching is done with the help of Sun Rays. The new born baby Tortoises again swim thousands of miles back to reach their parents.

The Indian species called Star Tortoises (Geochelone Elegans) are popular for their size & Beautiful Appearance and live for about 100 years. They are generally found in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan. They need direct Sun Light, Moon Light & Rain water for Vitamin, D3 and other Nutrients. They grow healthy in a natural environment  with Bushes, Sand bed for laying eggs etc. They generally lay eggs around March every year , and the Baby Hatchlings come out of Sand with the onset of Rains around the month of July. Star Tortoises do not hibernate and are generally shy. Their Food and Water intake is very limited. They generally feed on Calcium Rich Grass, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Hibiscus Leaves/Flowers , Beans, Carrot, Cabbage etc.  Fruits like Banana, Papaya, apple, Coconut etc should not be fed., as Star Tortoises are prone to Respiratory Problems.

 Old Tortoise Park at Srikurmam Temple (The History) :

Ø  Tortoises, particularly Star Tortoises, were living in the Temple premises and the Srikurmam Village for many centuries

Ø  They did not have a proper shelter and care

Ø  So a small Shelter was built about 15 years back by the Local people

Ø  Villagers used to collect stray Tortoise and house them in the temporary Park, apart from those brought by some devotees

Ø  Feeding was done by Devotees & Local Villagers as the Temple itself was not having enough Funds for salaries, Electricity, Poojas etc

Ø  A small improvised Tortoise Park was made sponsored by Local Bank (SBI) in 2006…..but not as per scientific standards for Tortoises

Ø  Maintenance was by Temple Administration  which was most inhuman

Ø  Tortoise Toilet Water was being let into the most sacred Pushkarini

Ø  Eagles/Crows/Cats/Dogs used to enter the Park and kill Tortoises and their Eggs

Ø  Cold Blooded Tortoises used to die out of direct Heat since flooring was with cement and hardly any proper roofing

Ø  Tortoises subjected to unimaginable cruelty leading to Starvation Deaths, smuggling etc etc

Ø  Animal care Organisations tried educating Local People but in vain

Ø  They  took it up with Temple Staff on a continuous basis but in vain

Ø  With hardly any response, Animal Care Organisations took the issue to District Forest Dept and Collector etc

Ø  With very little help initially , They, with untiring resolve, took the issue to the People/ Media

Ø  With major Media Houses broadcasting on continuous basis, the issue got required attention

Ø  Forest Dept swung into action and issued notices to Temple EO as these Schedule 4 species should not be kept without permissions

Ø  Forest Dept ordered immediate evacuation & release of Tortoises into forests

Ø  However, As Religious Sentiments were involved, these notices led to wild agitations against Animal Care Organisations/ Temple Admn. etc etc

Ø  Meanwhile, Swamy Kamalananda Bharati filed a writ petition in AP high Court requesting a stay order on evacuation of Tortoises as Religious sentiments are involved and that the  Tortoises are there in the Temple for many many Centuries

Ø  High Court agreed to give Stay Order, if Anybody commits construction of a new/Big Tortoise Park, within 3 months, strictly as per the Guidelines laid down by Experts on Tortoises/United Nations etc. Temple EO to also give detailed commitment on their Upkeep  including   Food/Health/Hygiene etc etc

Ø  “Krushnam Vande Jagadgurum” gave the commitment to Endowments Department and AP High Court to do necessary Research/ Coordinate with Domain Experts/ Build the New Tortoise Park within 3 months

Ø  Based on these various representations,  AP High Court issued necessary conditional Stay Order

Ø  About 100+ Tortoises were retained in the Temple

Ø  “Krushnam Vande Jagadgurum” built new Tortoise Conservation Centre ahead of schedule with scientific inputs from  IUCN/United Nations Guidelines on Tortoises/Universities at Gwalior-Visakha etc etc

NEW TORTOISE CONSERVATION CENTRE :

• New Tortoise Conservation Centre , which started in April 2011,  is about  4 times Larger in Size
• New Tortoise Conservation Centre provides  Ample Exposure to Sun, Moon Light & Rain Water for Producing Calcium, Vitamin D & other Essential Vitamins and Harmones
• It has a specially made 2 Feet Deep Sand Bed for laying Eggs (Made with a mix of Sea Sand & Red Soil)
• New Centre was constructed with Fresh Water Pool and Underground Discharge Tanks which supply water to the Plants & Trees around the Tortoise Conservation centre thus completing the ECO Cycle of Plants giving Flowers/ Nuts which are eaten by Tortoises, and their excreta & used water going to feed the Plants and thus the sustainable cycle goes on
• Since the Excreta/used Water  of Tortoises are obnoxious, the New Tortoise Conservation Centre has Air Purifying Plants like Areca Palms to absorb Bad Smells and release fresh Oxygen
• New Tortoise Conservation Centre is  Now Housing More Than 200 Healthy and Happy Tortoises and about 50 Baby Hatchlings (Tortoises)
• A Rare Phenomenon occurred By August 2013 – More than 40 Baby Tortoises were Born in the Tortoise Conservation Centre  -  First time in the Temple History & A Record in Captive Breeding in India
• A Repetition of this Rare Phenomenon again next year, i.e., By July 2014 – More than 55 Baby Tortoises were Born  - First time in the Temple History & A World Record in Captive Breeding