Srikurmam is home to one of the very few temples in India dedicated to Kurma, the tortoise avatar of Vishnu. It sits about 15 kilometres east of Srikakulam town, close to the Bay of Bengal coast. The main deity — Kurmanathaswami — is depicted in relief on the floor of the sanctum, visible from above. The temple complex also contains shrines to Vishnu in several other forms, and the outer walls carry carved panels of considerable quality.
The temple is an active pilgrimage destination, particularly popular with devotees from coastal Andhra and Odisha. The covered mandapam (pillared hall) in front of the main shrine is often busy with worshippers, and the atmosphere is lively and welcoming. The adjacent tank (temple pond) is used for ritual bathing and adds a pleasant spatial element to the complex. Srikurmam is easy to combine with a visit to Kalingapatnam beach a few kilometres further east, making for a good half-day circuit from Srikakulam town.