THE KATHAVISUALS GUIDE
Vishnu Dashavatar: the ten avatars and your visit
विष्णु दशावतार और वर्चुअल मंदिर की यात्रा
Explore Vishnu and the Dashavatar temple map. See which shrines are open, find their bhajans and learn how to reach the upper realm.
विष्णु के वैकुण्ठ मंडप और दशावतार क्षेत्र का परिचय लें। जानें कि कौन से मंदिर खुले हैं, वहाँ कैसे पहुँचें और भजन व पूजा का अनुभव कैसे शुरू करें।
What does Dashavatar mean?
Dashavatar refers to the ten avatars, or incarnations, associated with Vishnu. In Hindu traditions, these appearances are connected with restoring order and protecting dharma. The KathaVisuals map uses a sequence beginning with Matsya and Kurma and continuing through Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Ram, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki.
The virtual map is an artistic interpretation for exploring stories and devotion. It is not a geographical map of ten real temple locations. Each illustrated shrine has its own place in the upper realm, while Vishnu's Vaikuntha pavilion stands above the avatar courtyards. The directory below reflects the site's current video availability, not the religious importance of any deity.
For cultural background, see The Metropolitan Museum of Art's introduction to Vishnu and the avatars. Our guide explains the site's illustrated version.
How to reach Vishnu's virtual temple
There are two ways to reach the upper realm. If you want to explore, walk north from the sacred courtyard using the direction pad, arrow keys or WASD. The world is connected: you can cross the gateway and continue toward the avatar shrines without an unlock requirement.
For a direct visit, select Dashavatar at the top of the map. This places your character near Vishnu's pavilion. Choose Enter temple when the arrival card appears. You can also use Find a temple to select Vishnu or another open shrine; your character will walk to that entrance. Overview fits the whole region on screen, making the lower shrines easier to find.
Open shrines, bhajans and upcoming spaces
Vishnu, Varaha, Narasimha, Shri Ram and Shri Krishna currently have open shrines in this realm. Each offers its catalogue of KathaVisuals videos and the virtual pooja tray. The Ram and Krishna avatar shrines share the same complete video catalogues as their main-courtyard counterparts, so you can listen from either location.
The remaining avatar shrines are visible but locked while they await catalogue videos. A lock is an availability label, not a challenge to earn points, pay or create an account. The map directory and arrival cards show this distinction before you try to enter. The Kailash area is also not part of the open walking world yet.
- Bhagwan Vishnu विष्णु4 videos · Open for virtual pooja
- Bhagwan Matsya मत्स्यAwaiting a catalogue video
- Bhagwan Kurma कूर्मAwaiting a catalogue video
- Bhagwan Vamana वामनAwaiting a catalogue video
- Bhagwan Parashurama परशुरामAwaiting a catalogue video
- Bhagwan Shri Ram राम4 videos · Open for virtual pooja
- Bhagwan Varaha वराह1 video · Open for virtual pooja
- Bhagwan Narasimha नरसिंह1 video · Open for virtual pooja
- Bhagwan Shri Krishna कृष्ण6 videos · Open for virtual pooja
- Bhagwan Buddha बुद्धAwaiting a catalogue video
- Shri Kalki कल्किAwaiting a catalogue video
Choose a story, then continue your journey
If you prefer listening to navigating, open the bhajan library and choose a Vishnu, Varaha or Narasimha video. Its watch page gives you the original title, Hindi title when available, duration and publication date. Related stories help you continue without repeating the same video across several pages.
Inside an open shrine, you can choose Offer pooja for a bell, flowers and aarti, or simply look around the room. Return to the map whenever you wish; the browser keeps your last position when storage is available. The purpose is an accessible place for discovery and a devotional pause, whether your visit lasts a minute or becomes a longer journey.
Questions before you begin
Why is an avatar temple locked?
Its video catalogue is not available yet. Locks do not indicate paid access, and they do not mean you need to complete another shrine first.
Is the Dashavatar map a real pilgrimage route?
No. It is an illustrated virtual world, not navigation or visitor information for physical temples.
Do I lose my place after entering Vishnu's temple?
Returning to the map restores your last saved position in this browser when local storage is available.