Abhirameswarar Temple,
Kanchipuram – Legends
As per legend, Lord Vishnu installed Abhirameswarar and worshipped
it, left Kanchi to meet Emperor Mahabali who ruled his land abiding by the law
of righteousness. Mahabali was the great-great grandson of a
Brahmin
sage named Kashyapa, the great-grandson of demonic
dictator Hiranya Kasipu, and the grandson of Vishnu
devotee Prahlada.
Prahlada's grandson Mahabali came to power by defeating the gods (Devas)
and taking over the three worlds. The defeated Devas approached Vishnu for
help in their battle with Mahabali.
Vishnu refused to join the gods in violence against
Mahabali, because Mahabali was a good ruler and his own devotee. He, instead,
decided to test Mahabali's devotion at an opportune moment. Mahabali, after his
victory over the gods, declared that he will perform Yajna (Homa
sacrifices) and grant anyone any request during the Yajna. Vishnu took the
avatar of a dwarf boy called Vamana and approached Mahabali.
The king offered anything to the boy – gold, cows,
elephants, villages, food, whatever he wished. The boy said that one must not
seek more than one needs, and all he needs is the property right over a piece
of land that measures "three paces". Mahabali agreed. Vamana grew and
covered everything Mahabali ruled over in just two paces. For the third pace,
Mahabali offered himself, an act which Vishnu accepted as evidence of
Mahabali's devotion.
Vishnu granted him a boon, by which Mahabali could visit
again, once every year, the lands and people he previously ruled. Lord Vishnu
then returned to the Holy land of Kanchi, worshipped Lord Abhirameswarar as a
mark of his deep reverence and piety to Lord Shiva and displayed to the Lord,
the form he took (the gigantic form) while measuring the land with his holy
feet, worshipped the Lord and then left the place.