Vamana facts for kids
In Hinduism, people believe that the god Vishnu has many special forms called avatars. The Vamana avatar was Vishnu's fifth avatar. In this form, Vishnu appeared as a human dwarf.
Vamana came to Earth to help the gods. He appeared as a wise priest, also known as a Brahmin. This avatar was taken to deal with a powerful demon king named Bali.
The Story of Vamana
King Bali was a good ruler, but he had taken over the homes of the gods. Aditi, who is like a mother figure to the gods, prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu was pleased by her prayers. He promised her that he would help the gods get their homes back.
Lord Vishnu then appeared as Vamana, a small Brahmin boy. He went to King Bali and asked for a gift. Vamana asked for just "three steps of land." King Bali laughed at this small request. He told Vamana that he could ask for much bigger and more valuable things.
Vamana replied that he only needed three steps of land. King Bali agreed to grant his wish. As soon as Bali agreed, Vamana began to grow. He grew incredibly large, bigger than the whole Earth!
With his first step, Vamana covered the entire Earth. With his second step, he covered all of heaven! King Bali had no more land left to offer. Vamana still had one step remaining.
King Bali then asked Vamana, "Who is greater, the thing given or the person who gives it?" Vamana replied that the giver is greater. King Bali, being a man of his word, then asked Vamana to place his third step on Bali's own head.
Vishnu was very pleased with King Bali's honesty and devotion. He granted Bali the rule of Patal, which is a lower world or underworld. Vishnu also promised to protect Bali and his kingdom there.
Onam Festival
It is believed that King Bali returns to Earth for three days each year. This happens during the rainy season, called 'Savan'. These three days are celebrated as the Onam festival in the Indian state of Kerala.
During Onam, people make idols of Lord Vishnu and King Bali from rice. They worship these idols. A famous boat race is also held across Kerala to honor King Bali. People of all faiths in Kerala celebrate this special festival. It is a very important regional festival for the people of Kerala.
Images for kids
-
A yajna (fire ritual)
-
Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu, by an anonymous artist from 1790. It is now kept at the Royal Collection Trust.
-
Agni, the god of fire
-
Aditi
-
Shukra, the teacher of Bali
-
Bhrigu
-
Brahma on Hamsa
-
Vamana
-
Vamana with Bali
-
Vishnu and the Dashavatara (ten avatars)
-
Vamana
-
Vamana, Bali, and Vindhyabali
-
Thrikkakara Appan Onathappan idol (a symbol of Vamana avatar) inside a Pookalam (flower carpet) during Onam
-
Thrikkakara Temple in Kerala
-
Vamana taking a giant step, from Nepal
-
Vamana at the Badami cave temples, Karnataka
-
Vamana striding the heavens, Karnataka
-
Dwarf Vamana avatar at Rani ki vav, Patan, Gujarat
-
Vishnu as Trivikrama, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
-
Dwarf Vamana at Srikurmam, Andhra Pradesh
-
Vamana at Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
.jpg)
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Vámana para niños
