Mahabali was banished when he became too popular on earth.
The devas resented him. In response to their plea, Lord Vishnu came down to earth as a small Brahmin boy, Vamana and, by trickery, exiled him.
...But not before Mahabali secured the privilege to visit his subjects one day in the year.
Hence Onam is the special day when the spirit of Mahabali comes alive.
Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images
Also read: Revisiting Onam
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