Deepavali or Diwali, as much of India calls it is known as the festival of light’s victory over darkness. Homes glow with lamps, prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi, and families celebrate prosperity and new beginnings. On Amavasya, the new moon night, Lakshmi Puja marks the heart of the festival – the worship of wealth, abundance, and good fortune in homes, shops, and workplaces alike.

But in South India, Deepavali carries another layer of meaning, one rooted not in wealth, but in humility and devotion. The day after the new moon, known as Balipadyami, honors a very different figure: King Bali, the noble Asura who once ruled the world with justice, generosity, and compassion.

The Noble Demon King

When we hear the word “demon," the mind often conjures images of cruelty and chaos. Yet

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