Swayambu Selva Vinayagar Temple, Shenbakkam – Legends
Swayambu Vinayaga Idols:
According
to legend, A Maratha minister by name Thukkoji was passing through this place
when the axle of his chariot broke here and forced to stay here and worried
about the obstacle to his trip. He prayed to Vinayaga and slept. Lord Vinayaka
appeared in his dream and told him about his existence as 11 Swayambu idols
arranged in Omkara shape under the ground and asked him to excavate them and
build a temple. As instructed, Thukkoji built the Temple. The
mark of chariot wheel can be seen on the back of Selva Vinayakar idol.
Etymology:
The
place was once called Swayambakkam since Vinayagar appeared hear as Swayambu
and later became as Shenbakkam. It is also said that the original name of the
village was Shenbaga Vanam as it was full of fragrant Shenbaga trees even
though no trace of the trees is to be seen now.
Aadhi Sankarar visit to this Temple:
Aadhi
Sankarar once visited Virinchipuram Margabandeswarar Temple near this place and
from there he came to know about this temple by his spiritual power and visited
this temple. He is said to have installed a Sri Chakra at the Easanya corner
near the Navagrahas, but there is nothing to indicate about such a thing to the
devotees.
