25/08/2026
.... Story of Onam (Legend of Mahabali) - Happy Onam ๐ ๐ต ๐ธ ๐ผ ๐ชท
Onam is the national festival of Kerala. Legend has it that Mahabali, the mythical beloved king of Kerala, visits his his kingdom (Kerala) once a year.
Mahabali, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was the son of Virochan and the grandson of Prahalad. He was a righteous and charitable man and treated all his people equally. There was no poverty, crime, or cruelty during his rule. Despite Mahabali being a demon king, the state was at its most glorious phase, and his people adored him. People of the kingdom were happy, and they loved their king.
Mahabaliโs fame grew with each passing day, which enraged the devas. The Deva king Indra felt threatened by the aura of Mahabali and approached Lord Vishnu to put the king in his place. Afraid of losing power, they begged Lord Vishnu to aid them in stopping Mahabali.
As a result, Lord Vishnu in his Vamana Avatar (a Brahmin avatar, the fifth avatar of Vishnu) visited Mahabali, who was doing yagna for Lord Vishnuโs grace. Upon seeing the poor Brahmin boy, Mahabali asked what he desired. The boy responded that he needed land, which could be covered in three steps. Mahabali granted the boyโs wish. The dwarf-sized Vamana suddenly grew into the skies and covered the earth with his first step and the heavens with his second.
Mahabali then realised that it was no ordinary boy before him but Lord Vishnu himself. Seeing that there was no more land left, then asked him for a place to put his third step. King Mahabali requested Vamana to put his third step on his head, and Vamana sent him to Pathala (netherworld) with his third step.
But this made Lord Vishnu happy, and he was pleased by his devotion and generosity. Lord Vishnu blessed King Mahabali he would be able to visit his kingdom (Kerala) once a year.
That's why people of Kerala celebrate this Onam festival as the homecoming day of their beloved king Mahabali.
