Bali Daityaraja Puja

What is Bali Daityaraja Puja?

Bali Daityaraja Puja is the worship of Bali Maharaja, the daitya-raja, or king of the demonic dynasty, who became a pure devotee of Lord Vishnu. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 10 November, with Govardhana Puja.

Significance

Bali Maharaja had taken the heavenly planets from Indra when Lord Vishnu appeared as Vamanadeva and begged three steps of land. Bali gave all he had, and when no place was left for the third step, he offered his own head. Srila Prabhupada translates the Srimad-Bhagavatam, where Lord Brahma pleads for him:

This Bali Mahārāja, without duplicity, has now offered everything in the three worlds.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.22.23

The Lord replied that He takes away the possessions of those whom wealth has made proud, to show them special favour. Bali kept his devotion, and the Lord gave him Sutala to live in, a planet that He protects Himself.

How to observe it

Read or hear the story of Bali Maharaja and Lord Vamana from the Eighth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, and reflect on offering everything to Krishna without holding back. The same day brings Go Puja and Govardhana Puja, and the appearance day of Sri Rasikananda.