King Mahabali is considered to have been an asura king of Keralam, and although asuras are typically evil beings in Hindu mythology, he is described as a righteous and benevolent devotee of the god Vishnu. Yet Mahabali’s strength threatens the superiority of the gods (devas), so Vishnu incarnates in his avatar of a dwarf, Vamana. Vamana tricks Mahabali by requesting a mere three steps of space. When Mahabali consents, Vamana expands to his vast divine size and takes three steps on Earth, the heavens, and Mahabali’s head. Vishnu then sends Mahabali to the underworld, but the god rewards the asura king’s devotion by allowing him a brief annual to return to Keralam, which is celebrated as Onam.
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