The different incarnations of Vishnu (the preserver) are known as avatars.
According to the Hindu mythology that there are 10 avatars of lord Vishnu ( the preserver). Among these 10 avatars, 9 avatars have so far taken birth on the earth and the last avatar of Vishnu (the preserver) will take birth at the concluding part of Kaliyuga. (According to Hindu mythology Kaliyuga is the last era of the universe at the end of which the creation will be destroyed by the gods) The last avatar of Vishnu (the preserver) will accomplish the task of destruction of the universe. The name of the last avatar of Vishnu (the preserver) is Kalki Avatar who will destroy the world on the back of a horse with a sword in his hand.
According to the Hindu mythology the avatars of Vishnu (the preserver) include the following
- Matsa (The fish)
- Kurma ( The tortoise)
- Baraha ( The Hog)
- Nrisingha ( The lion man)
- Baman ( the dwarf)
- Parashuram
- Ram
- Krishna
- Buddha
- Kalki
All these avatars of Vishnu (the preserver) killed a very dangerous demon respectively to save the creation from the hand of destruction and the last avatar of Vishnu (the preserver) will arrive at the end of Kaliyuga to destroy the creation as at the end of Kaliyuga the entire universe will be filled with sin.
The avatars of Vishnu (the preserver) also restored peace and order on the earth and they also gave valuable lessons to the mankind. The lessons given by lord Krishna one of the avatars (incarnation) of Vishnu (the preserver) on the battle field of Kurukhetra is regarded very sacred by the followers of all the cults of Hinduism. The teaching of lord Krishna has been complied in one of the sacred books of
Hinduism, Bhagbat Gita.
In the Hindu mythology the residence of lord Vishnu is known as Vishnuloke or Goloke. It is the sacred abode of the Vishnu (the preserver). It is believed by the Hindus Vishnu (the preserver) live in this sphere with his wife Laxmi Devi. Vishnu (the preserver) is also worshiped by the Hindus as Narayan. There are many temples of Vishnu (the preserver) in every regions of India.
Salagram Shila is a kind of stone found in the neighboring country of India Nepal,. This stone is also worshiped by the Hindus with great respect as the Hindus believe that this stone is the symbol of Lord Vishnu.
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