Jambugeswarar Temple, Sembakkam – Legends
Story behind the name Sembakkam:
According
to the legend, when Lord Muruga killed Soorapadman (Soora Samharam) the head of
the demon is believed to have fallen here and hence the place was known as
Sirampakkam (Siram means Head in Thamizh). It is said that the name Sirampakkam
got changed as Sembakkam down the generations. Even today, the flag hoisting
ceremony of Thiruporur Sri Kandhaswamy temple (for Lord Muruga) is done by the
people of Sembakkam.
Vasuki clearing her sin of spitting poison during
churning of Milk Ocean:
When
snake Vasuki was used as a rope during the churning of milky ocean, unable to
withstand the pressure she spit out poison and Shiva swallowed it to protect
everyone. In order to get cleared of that sin Vasuki prayed to Shiva and Shiva
answered her that he is present as Jala Swayambu in the water ditch of a naval
(fruit) forest which is to the east of the place where Goddess Parvathi came as
the Kamadhenu (cow) and poured milk on Shiva (Thiru Idai Churam). By
worshipping him (present in water) here, Vasuki will get the salvation for
mixing the poison in water (milky ocean) and so did Vasuki. The sculpture
depicting this is present in the Jambugeswarar shrine.
Indra worshipping Shiva here:
Another
story has it that Sage Naradha was explaining the sanctity of Sri Uthara
Jambugeswarar to Lord Indra who didn’t pay much attention in listening to the
sage. Because of this, Indra got into difficulties and came personally and
worshipped Lord Shiva here.
Ko Chenganan blessed with Child by praying Shiva here:
As per Sthalapuranam,
the king Ko Chenganan who was childless was traveling across the country
worshipping Lord Shiva at various places. When he reached Sembakkam the axle of
his Chariot broke down here and he was resting at this place. Lord Shiva
appeared in his dreams and directed him to build a temple here, where he would
be called Sri Jambugeswarar along with Goddess Sri Azhagaambigai. The king
built this temple for Lord Shiva and was blessed with a child.
People worshipped Shiva here:
As per
Sthalapuranam of the temple, Indiran, Naradar, Agasthiyar, Navagrahangal, Naga
Kings like Aadhisesan, Anandan, Vasuki, Karkodagan, 32 Naga Kannigal and Siddhargal
(Saints) came here and worshipped Lord Jambugeswarar and other Deities.
Therefore, the Lord Jambugeswarar is very, very powerful not only in the
ancient period but also now and solve any problem of day-to-day life of the
devotees on their visit to this Temple and got blessings and salvation for
their sins or get out of the curse of the God/saints. It is believed that many
Siddhars gather here on Pournami days to offer their prayers.
Speciality of this Place:
The
place once had 32 streets, 32 Vinayagar temples and 32 ponds but now has about
23 streets, 23 Vinayagar temples and 7 or 8 ponds. Generally temple will be
there in the midst of a village/Town but here temple is present in every street
and in fact two Vinayagar temples opposite to each other are present in the
same street. In addition there are many other temples and thus this place is
considered a divinely blessed one with abundant resources of water, fertile
land and spiritual people. The Sembakkam people have the special privilege of
making the rope for the Flag hoisting ceremony of the Thiruporur Murugan temple
during the annual Brahmotsavam festival.
Sages secretly worshipping Shiva here:
In those
days, a sect of sages used to go around for Shiva worship by walk and they
apply holy ash all over the body in front of Gurus or Lord Shiva only in holy
places and do the worship. They will not do it in any ordinary place. Once they
were looking out for such a place in this region and a holy voice directed them
here. There is a belief that these sages are worshipping the Lord here daily.
The pooja sound is heard during the midnights even now but only to select
sacred people.