According to Puranas, VISHNU incarnated in the form of VAMANA to test demon king MAHABALI.. PRAHLAD had a grandson MAHABALI .PRAHLAD was a great devotee of VISHNU. He inculcated his teachings in MAHABALI. So MAHABALI also became a great devotee of VISHNU. MAHABALI became a wise,noble,righteous and generous king who ruled earth and heaven. Everyone under MAHABALI rule was happy and prospering. MAHABALI was a generous king and whosoever requested him with anything was granted the same. Though generous MAHABALI became arrogant. Helping others is king duty but he forgot this and became very proud of it. So VISHNU incarnated in the form of a dwarf called VAMANA to test his generosity.
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| Vamana with Mahabali |
One day after completing his morning prayers, he was preparing to donate to some poor people. Then VISHNU in the form of VAMANA arrived and requested for a piece of land.
MAHABALI asked the dwarf "How much land he wants"? VAMANA replied "As much land as he could cover with three steps". MAHABALI filled with ego laughed that how much land does a dwarf can cover with three steps. But MAHABALI agreed to fulfill his request. As soon as demon king agreed, VAMANA the dwarf suddenly turned into a gigantic being. He covered the whole earth with his first stride. In second stride he covered the whole heaven and with no place to put his third stride he asked the demon king "where he should rest his third stride". MAHABALI misunderstood the dwarf. MAHABALI realized that his excessive pride had degraded him. With no place left he asked VAMANA to put his third step on his head so that MAHABALI can fulfill his words. He asked VAMANA that he is not as ordinary as he looked. He requested VAMANA to reveal his true identity. Lord VISHNU then appeared in front of him. VISHNU told him that he came to test the king and king had passed the test. Seeing MAHABALI determination to fulfill his promise, VISHNU gave him a boon that he can visit his kingdom and his people once every year and after losing his whole kingdom he will be loved by Lord VISHNU and his followers forever.With third step VAMANA sent MAHABALI to the underworld.
Onam is a festival celebrated every year in Kerala, a state of India which marks the homecoming of MAHABALI. During festival boat races are held all over Kerala, floral designs are made in every house and a 21 course feast !
MAHABALI asked the dwarf "How much land he wants"? VAMANA replied "As much land as he could cover with three steps". MAHABALI filled with ego laughed that how much land does a dwarf can cover with three steps. But MAHABALI agreed to fulfill his request. As soon as demon king agreed, VAMANA the dwarf suddenly turned into a gigantic being. He covered the whole earth with his first stride. In second stride he covered the whole heaven and with no place to put his third stride he asked the demon king "where he should rest his third stride". MAHABALI misunderstood the dwarf. MAHABALI realized that his excessive pride had degraded him. With no place left he asked VAMANA to put his third step on his head so that MAHABALI can fulfill his words. He asked VAMANA that he is not as ordinary as he looked. He requested VAMANA to reveal his true identity. Lord VISHNU then appeared in front of him. VISHNU told him that he came to test the king and king had passed the test. Seeing MAHABALI determination to fulfill his promise, VISHNU gave him a boon that he can visit his kingdom and his people once every year and after losing his whole kingdom he will be loved by Lord VISHNU and his followers forever.With third step VAMANA sent MAHABALI to the underworld.
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| Vamana sending Mahabali to underworld |
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