As the legend goes once there lived in the Satya Yuga a demon by name Gada. He was exceptionally strong in his physique and was a byword for his super abundant strength. It became an object of envy to everyone including Brahma, the creator. Having kept an eye on him, one day Brahma approached and asked him to give his bones for making a formidable weapon to be used for lokakalyana. At the very mention of the purpose, Gada deeming it an especial honour done to him, agreed; whereupon Brahma commissioned Viswakarma to make a mace out of the bones. He did. And it was presented to Lord Sri Mahavishnu for the protection of the universe. This powerful mace was used against a mighty asura by name Heti, who on performing durga tapas obtained the boon that he would not be destroyed with any missile, like arrow, or disc. When his misdeeds became intolerable to innocent life in ashram vatikas, Lord Mahavishnu killed him with this mighty, weighty mace.

As it is imbued with uncommon inherent potentialities, it was able to suppress the raising head of Gaya during Brahma's sacrifice, when the Lord Protector standing on Dharmasila pressed it with that mace. Hence the image of Sri Mahavishnu with that might mace in his hand is worshipped here and he is called the ' Adi Gadahara'-- he put to use for the first time that mighty mace to kill the mightiest demon.