1. Matsya
Matsya (Sanskrit: मत्स्य, meaning "fish") is the fish avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Often described as the first of Vishnu's ten primary avatars, Matsya is said to have rescued the first man, Manu, from a great deluge. Matsya may be depicted as a giant fish, often golden in color, or anthropomorphically with the torso of Vishnu connected to the rear half of a fish.
2. Kurma
Kurma (Sanskrit: कूर्म, meaning "turtle" or "tortoise") is the second avatar of Vishnu. Kurma is most commonly associated with the legend of the churning of the Ocean of Milk, known as Samudra Manthana. Kurma is listed as the second of the Dashavatara, the ten principal incarnations of Vishnu.
3. Varaha
Varaha (Sanskrit: वराह, meaning "boar") is the third avatar of Vishnu, appearing in the form of a boar. According to Hindu mythology, Varaha rescued the earth goddess Bhumi from the cosmic ocean after the demon Hiranyaksha had hidden her in the waters. Varaha defeated Hiranyaksha and restored Bhumi to her place in the universe.
4. Narasimha
Narasimha (Sanskrit: नरसिंह, meaning "man-lion") is the fourth avatar of Vishnu. He appeared as a part-lion and part-man to defeat Hiranyakashipu, end religious persecution, and restore dharma. Narasimha is an important deity in the Vaishnava tradition and is also associated with yoga as Yoga-Narasimha.
5. Vamana
Vamana (Sanskrit: वामन, meaning "dwarf") is the fifth avatar of Vishnu and the first Dashavatara of the Treta Yuga. He is also known as Trivikrama, meaning "three steps". Vamana is associated with the legendary story of King Bali and is known for his three cosmic strides.
6. Parashurama
Parashurama (Sanskrit: परशुराम, meaning "Rama with an axe") is the sixth avatar of Vishnu. He is described in Hindu tradition as a warrior who fought against injustice and evil. Parashurama is also considered one of the Chiranjivis, or immortals, in Hindu tradition.
7. Krishna
Krishna is a major deity in Hinduism and is widely worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu. He is associated with protection, compassion, tenderness, and love. Krishna's birthday is celebrated as Krishna Janmashtami according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
8. Buddha
The Buddha, meaning "the enlightened one", is considered the ninth avatar among the ten major avatars of Vishnu in some Vaishnava traditions. The identification of the Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu varies among Hindu traditions and texts.
9. Kalki
Kalki (Sanskrit: कल्कि) is the prophesied tenth and final incarnation of Vishnu. According to Vaishnava tradition, Kalki is destined to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga. His arrival is associated with the end of the Kali Yuga and the restoration of dharma and righteousness.