Adi Varaha Temple,
Mamallapuram – Legends
A Pallava King made a daily trip to the Varaha Perumal
temple at Thiru Vidanthai. He would have his morning food only after this
darshan. Also, it was his practice to feed a 1000 people each day after coming back
from Thiru Vidanthai. Lord Vishnu decided to put his devotion to test. One
morning he appeared before the king as a hungry Brahmin carrying along with a
child (Goddess in disguise).
The king requested if he could first make his daily trip
to Thiru Vidanthai and then offer them food as that was his practice. The Lord
in disguise rejected this suggestion stating that he was dying of hunger and
that it may be too late for the child by the time the king returned. Invoking
the blessings of Varaha Perumal of Thiru Vidanthai, the king decided that
feeding a hungry child was more important than his trip.
Pleased with the king’s true devotion, the disguised
Lord provided darshan to the king at the same place as Varaha Perumal with
Agilavalli Thayar on his right side (at Thiru Vidanthai, Goddess is seen to the
left of the Lord). Pallava King Simha Vishnu is believed to have built this
cave temple. In memory of his contribution, one finds stone idols of Simha
Vishnu along with his son Mahendra Varma Pallava.