Laxmi Puja

The legend linked to the story of the demon king Bali and to the origin of Laxmi Puja.

Laxmi Puja

The great demon king Bali had won victory over all three worlds and taken captive all the gods, together with the goddess Lakshmi. But King Bali was an exceedingly great giver of gifts.

Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Vamana (a dwarf brahmin) and asked King Bali for a gift of three steps of land. As soon as Bali made his vow, Vamana appeared in his vast cosmic form and measured the earth and heaven in two steps. For the third step, Bali offered his own head.

Pleased by Bali's great generosity, Vishnu made him king of the netherworld and set free the captive goddess Lakshmi.

On the day of the Kartik Krishna Aunsi, in celebration of the goddess Lakshmi's release, the tradition began of lighting lamps and celebrating 'Laxmi Puja' and Deepawali in every home.

Note: These are traditional Nepali folk tales (kimbadanti), passed down orally through generations. They may or may not reflect actual historical events, but they are told and believed as part of Nepal's cultural heritage.

More from Festivals and the threads this story shares.

Ghantakarna (Gathamuga)The story of how the atheistic aghori Ghantakarna became a demon and was killed, and the Gathamuga festival came to be celebrated.Nepal SambatThe story of how the astrologer Siddhivanta found an auspicious moment and Nepal Sambat was begun.Bala Chaturdashi (Balachahre)The story of Bala Chaturdashi, how the guthiyar Balananda ate a gidhi and became the man-eating demon Balasur.Dhanya Purnima (Yomari Punhi)The story of Yomari Punhi, how grain and wealth increased after the wife of the rich Suchandra fed Kubera.ShivaratriThe story of Shivaratri, how a hunter offered bel leaves through the night, won Shiva's grace, and attained liberation.Bisket JatraThe story of Bisket Jatra, in which the people of Bhaktapur, freed from the practice of keeping night watch, raise the lingo.

Laxmi Puja

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