In Hindu mythology, Vamana was the avatar of Vishnu who asked King Bali for three paces of land.
Vamana appeared as a dwarf Brahmin before Mahabali, a generous and powerful asura king. Bali agreed to grant the request, not realizing that the apparently small visitor was Vishnu in disguise. Vamana then expanded to cosmic size and covered the earth and heavens in two strides.
With no place left for the third step, Bali offered his own head. Vamana’s story is central to the festival of Onam in Kerala, where traditions celebrate Bali’s annual return. The episode is not the same as Narasimha’s appearance as a man-lion to defeat Hiranyakashipu. It is also distinct from Rama and Krishna, who are other major avatars included in many, though not all, lists of Vishnu’s incarnations.