There are Asta Hanuman (or Mahaviras) engaged in protecting Puri Dhama. They are Siddha Mahavira, Daria Mahavira or Bedi Mahavira, Kanapata Mahavira , Vargi Mahavira, Masani Mahavira, Pancha Mukhi Mahavira, Phate Mahavira.
For the protection of Sri Mandir (Jagannatha Temple), Hanuman guards the four direction of the temple. At the Lion’s Gate in Phate Hanuman, at the western gate is Vira Vikrama Hanuman, at the northen gate Tapasvi Hanuman and at the southern gate Kanapata Hanuman and Bada Bhai Hanuman.
Siddha Hanuman:
Siddha Hanuman:
Siddha Mahavira form outside
The temple of Siddha Mahavir is situated at a distance of about one km to the north-east of the Gundicha temple of Puri. This is a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is one of the important shrines of Puri. Tulasi Das, the famous author of Rama Charita Manasa, stayed here for some time when he visited Puri. The shrine of Siddha Mahavir is an important place, where the presiding deity is greatly revered by the local people. God Siddha Mahavir is considered as one of the Eight Mahavirs of Puri town. This temple is built in sand stones and faces to east. The image of Lord Mahavir (Hanumana), the presiding deity of the temple, is about 6 feet in height. He holds gada (club) in left hand and a massive rock boulder (Gandha Mardana Mountain) in right hand. The deity has been installed on a decorated pedestal of 2 feet high.
Pond in front of Siddha Mahavira
There is a beautiful pond in front of the temple. Devotees wash their hands and feet in this pond before entering into the temple. Festivals like Makara Sankranti, Rama Navami, Dola Purnima are observed in this temple with great interest.
Pond in front of Siddha Mahavira
Kanapata Hanuman:
Kanapata Hanuman is located on the western Gate of Jagannatha Temple (Vyaghra dvara).After marrying the daughter of the ocean Laxmi, the Lord becomes the son-in-low of the ocean and the ocean become father-in-low of Lord Jagannatha.
During the night the waves of the ocean make a loud sound that is heard all over Puri. One time this sound entered Jagannatha’s temple, thus disturbing the Lord’s sleep. Lord Jagannatha ordered Samudra not to make any sound which might disturb Him. From that time on, the sound of Samudra crashing on the beach never again entered Jagannatha’s Temple. Lord Jagannatha engaged His Devotee Hanuman to stand at the south gate and listen attentively and ensure the sound never entered the Sri Mandira. “Kanapata” means to engage the ears (Kana) for hearing. Thus Hanuman is known here as Kanapata Hanuman.
Vargi Hanuman:
The temple is situated on Lokanatha Road towards the west of Jagannatha Temple. Formerly, Vargis a Clan from Maharashtra would pass through this way on their horse, creating a disturbance to the temple and the people of Puri. These Vargis were devoted to Hanuman, and so to stop them entering Puri a Hanuman Murti was kept in this area. The Vargis were reluctant to pass the Hanuman Murti, thus Puri was protected from the attack of the Vargis from Maharashtra.
Bedi Hanuman:
Bedi Hanuman from outside
The Bedi Hanuman temple is situated on the left side of the Chakratirtha road leading from Subash Bose Chowk to Penthakata. Lord Jagannatha engaged Hanuman to protect Puri Dham from His Father-in-Low Ocean. Because Sometimes the Ocean waves would enter the Puri and people would suffer. Thus Hanuman was posted hear by Jagannatha to guard here so the Ocean waves could not enter the town.
On time, however the hanuman left this place, without informing Lord Jagannatha to visit Ayodhya. As Result the Ocean waves enter the town and the people were in great distress. Lord Jagannatha brought Hanuman back from Ayodhya and bound him with the rope or Bedi, ordered him to never leave this place and do his duty nicely.
Because Hanuman is situated near the Ocean (daria) He is also known as Daria Hanuman.
Panchamukhi Hanuman:
Panchamukhi Hanuman from outside
The western side of Gundicha temple and on the bank of sacred Indradyumna Tank there is a temple known as the PanchamukhiHanuman Temple.
The presiding deity is PanchamukhiHanuman.The deity has five faces; Varaha in north, Narasimha in south, Hanuman in east, Garuda in west and Hayagriva in top. The image has ten hands, holding sankha, trident, khatwanga, pasa, ankusa,hillock, dhuma, musthi, mace and snake. He is standing over the demon.
Tapasvi Hanuman:
Tapasvi Hanuman
This Hanuman deity is Located at the north gate of Sri Jagannatha temple for the protection of the mandira. He is also known as Chari cakra Hanuman and Asta bhuja Hanuman. "Chari cakra" means he is holding four cakras in his hands. This deity of Hanuman is four feet in height and faces east.
