Devotion to Vishnu and his ten earthly incarnations or avatars (the dashavatara) is particularly prevalent in north India. According to Hindu belief, Vishnu was compelled to descend to earth in these ten animal and human manifestations in order to restore dharma (cosmic order).

Kalki is the final avatar of Vishnu. He is prophesied to appear on a winged white horse at the end of Kali Yuga, the present epoch, to usher in a new Golden age.