Patachitra is a popular style of painting in Orissa. In this spectacular painting, Lord Vishnu is painted as Matsya. The Puranas speak of the ten avataars of Vishnu.

According to Puranas, before the creation of the universe, the four Vedas (the holy books delivered from the mouth of the Supreme-God) remained drowned in deep waters. It was necessary to get hold of them to instruct Brahma about the work of Creation. Vishnu was therefore appointed to bring up the Vedas from the deep, so he took the form of a fish, Matsya, to descend into the waters and rescue the sacred books.

Lord Vishnu asked a sage to collect samples of all species and wait in a boat. The golden fish then dragged the boat through the great flood and enabled Brahma to start creation again.

According to another legend, a demon once stole the four Vedas and hid them under the sea. Vishnu assumed the Matsya incarnation and retrieved the Vedas back and then restored them to their original fragrance.

Lord Vishnu, one of the Trinity Gods in Hinduism, is responsible for the preservation of the universe. In order to preserve the universe from any impending catastrophe, He took various incarnations. These incarnations detail the divine help extended by Lord Vishnu during various stages of human evolution, by appearing on earth in different forms. These incarnations are said to demonstrate that divinity re-establishes Dharma or righteousness and destroys injustice from time to time, by appearing on earth in various incarnations.