Once upon a time, the earth-goddess Bhumi was dragged under the sea by an asura called Hiranayaksha. Vishnu took the form of Varaha, killed Hiranayaksha, placed Bhumi on his snout, raised her up and thus rescued the earth-goddess. Bhumi decided to bear Varaha a son called Naraka. But Naraka was a demon, who could be killed only by his father or his mother. In most tales, he is eventually killed by Krishna, who is Vishnu on earth. But in Telugu tales, he is killed by Satyabhama, Krishna’s chief queen, and a form of Lakshmi.

The death of Naraka is celebrated by Brahmin communities across South India during Diwali. His effigy is burnt in Goa, on the western coast of India but in the east, in the Brahmaputra valley, Naraka is considered a local king. His story underwent many transformations.