Selva Vinayagar Temple, Vellore - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 2 km from Vellore Town Railway Station, Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha situated in Shenbakkam. The place was once called Swayambakkam since Vinayagar appeared hear as Swayambu.

The Selva Vinayagar Temple is dedicated to Sri Selva Vinayagar and Somasundareswarar. Sri Selva Vinayagar is surrounded by 10 other Swayambhu Vinayagars. The 11 Vinayagars are present in the following order: Bala Vinayagar, Nandana Vinayagar, Omkara Vinayagar, Karpaga Vinayagar, Chinthamani Vinayagar, Selva Vinayagar, 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. One can see an Elephant installed in front of Selva Vinayakar instead of Mooshika, which is a unique feature of the temple.

According to legend, A Maratha minister by name Thukoji 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 Vigneshwar 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. Thukoji was overwhelmed and gladly performed the task. The mark of chariot wheel is seen on the back of Selva Vinayakar idol.

The sanctum has no roof but has the flag mast and an idol of Saneeswara Bhagwan facing the Selva Vinayagar. The image of Selva Vinayagar was covered with silver about 75 years back but now almost a third of the idol is exposed, fuelling belief that the idol is growing in size. Sri Somasundareswarar is in a separate shrine just behind the Selva Vinayagar.

Vinayaka Chaturdi (Aug/Sep) and Shivaratri (Feb/Apr) are the main festivals that are celebrated with great pomp and fervor.

Timings: 7.30 AM to 8.30 PM