Chaturbuja Ganesha by Ivee
About the Temple:
The temple is dedicated to Sri Selva Vinayagar and Somasundareswarar. Selva Vinayagar is present surrounded by 10 other Swayambu Vinayagars in the form of lingams and in the formation of ‘Om’. ( all 11 Ganesha are Swayambu)
The 11 Vinayagars are present in the following order: Bala Vinayagar, Nadana Vinayagar, Omkara Vinayagar, Karpaga Vinayagar, Chinthamani Vinayagar, Selva Vinayagar (moolavar), Mayura Vinayagar, Mooshiga Vinayagar, Vallaba Vinayagar, Siddhi-Buddhi Vinayagar and Panchamuga Vinayagar. Bala Vinayagar is still under the ground and only the top portion is visible.
Sri Somasundareswar in the form of lingam is present in a separate shrine just behind the Selva Vinayagar. Selva Vinayagar is bearing the mark of the chariot wheel on His back. The flag mast is present within the sanctum sanctorum itself and there is no roof for the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Shani is present facing the Selva Vinayagar which is a special significance. A Silver covering was made about 75 years back for Selva Vinayagar covering Him fully but now, it covers Him only two-thirds indicating that He is growing over time
Legend:
This place was formerly called Swayambakkam since Vinayagar or Ganesha appeared here as Swayambu ( Not installed by human) and later became as Shenbakkam. It is also said that the original name of the village was Shenbagavanam as it was full of fragrant Shenbaga trees, now you donot see any tree of Shenbaga around.
A Maharashtra minister by name Thukoji was passing through this place when the axle of his chariot broke here. He saw the blood oozing out from the place. He was forced to stay here and worried about the obstacle to his trip. He prayed to Ganesha and slept. Ganesha came in his dream and informed that He is present here under the ground and it is high time for Him to show up and asked Thukoji to bring Him out and construct a temple.
It is said that while Aadhi Sankara was visiting Virinchipuram Margabandeswarar Swayambu linga temple which is located very near this place. He had a divine feeling about this temple by his spiritual power and visited this temple. He is said to have installed a Sri Charka at the Esanya corner near the Navagrahas but their is nothing to indicate about such a thing to the devotees.
Worship
It is believed that by doing milk abhisheka to the Bala Vinayagar here, the illness of children will be cured. Also, this Ganesha is believed to sanction the boons for timely marriage and children.
Location:
In the Chennai-Bangalore highway, you have to proceed after Vellore junction for another 2 Km to reach Shenbakkam. Here you have to go under the bridge to the right side for about half a km to reach the temple. Distance: Chennai (Adayar) to Temple: 144 km
Here is the wikimapia locational map of the temple
An informative post as usual…Thanks for sharing…