Karnataka celebrates Bali Padyami festival today on the fourth day of Deepavali. It is believed that the Asura king Bali Chakravarty comes out of Pathala loka and visits Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu during Vamana Avatar.

After worshipping Ganga matha on the first day, Naraka Chaturdashi on the second and Lakshmi Pooja on the third day of Deepavali, the festival of Bali Padyami derives significance.

The temples are adorned with colourful rangoli and thousands of lamps are lit around them at night. Special Abhisheka of the diety is performed with milk and other auspicious ingredients. The houses are adorned with pillaries or a triangular-shaped image of King Bali, made from clay or cow dung and decorated with flowers. The day is symbolic of prosperity and welfare representing the then flourishing kingdom of Bali Chakravarty.