Objectives

Objective 1. To understand the divine birth of Lord Hanuman and his extraordinary strength and qualities.

Objective 2. To understand Lord Hanuman’s connection with Lord Jagannath and Sri Mandira in Puri.

Objective 3. To know about theAshta Mahavira Hanuman Temples

Objective 4. To explore how Lord Jagannath instructed Hanuman to make Siruli his permanent abode while continuing to watch over and protect Sri Mandir.

Introduction

The Ashta Mahavira Temples in Puri are eight sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Hanuman, who is believed to guard and protect the holy city of Puri and the Sri Jagannatha Temple from all directions and elements.

Objective 1. To understand the divine birth of Lord Hanuman and his extraordinary strength and qualities.

Birth of Lord Hanuman: The Divine Son of Anjana

Anjana who was a beautiful Apsara (Angel) once in the heaven being cursed by Brihaspati the king of planets took birth as a monkey on this planet earth.

On repentance she was told by Brihaspati that by the kind grace of Lord Shiva she shall be free from the curse and come back to her original place in heaven.

Anjana taking the shape of a monkey moved round the jungle. One day the monkey King Keshari while wandering in the forest met Anjana and being enchanted by her beauty proposed her. Anjana made a condition that she shall go back once Lord Shiva relived her from the curse of Planet king Brihaspati.

Anjana prayed lord Shiva and one night appeared in her dreams and assured her that she will give birth to an amazing boy who shall inherit his powers. Once the boy is able enough, she can leave this life and go back to her original shape.

After few days Anjana received the divine ‘charu’ of the Yagnya, King Dasaratha had organised for having his clan. Soon she conceived and gave birth to a baby who was surprisingly strong and beautiful.

The extraordinary baby was named as Hanuman. The glory and activities of Lord hanuman depicted vividly in Ramayana.

Objective 2. To understand Lord Hanuman’s connection with Lord Jagannath and Sri Mandira in Puri.

Hanuman in Jagannath Puri

According to legend, Rama returned to Ayodhya along with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman after defeating Ravana. After Lord Rama’s coronation as the King of Ayodhya, Hanuman departed for a pilgrimage. He visited the Jagannath Temple in Puri, and while returning, he saw a pond full of lotus flowers. He offered his evening prayers there and served as a doorkeeper at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Sri Mandira (Jagannath Temple) has four gates and in each gate, there stays Hanuman in a different image performing a different service for his Master.

Hanuman protects the temple by staying around at eight places. There are Asta (eight) Mahavira (Hanuman) who are engaged in protecting Puri Dham.

They are Siddha Mahavir, Bedi Mahavir, Kanapata Mahavir, Bargi Mahavir, Masani Mahavir, Pancha Mukhi Mahavir, Phate Mahavir, Tapasvi Hanuman.

Objective 3. To know about theAshta Mahavira Hanuman Temples.

List of Ashta Mahavira Hanuman Temples

1. Pancha Mukhi Mahavir Hanuman Temple – https://lms.iskconsaidapet.org/Puri_PanchamukhiHanumaneng/

2. Bedi Mahavir Hanuman Temple – https://lms.iskconsaidapet.org/Puri_Puri_BediHanumaneng/

3. Siddha Mahavir Hanuman Temple – https://lms.iskconsaidapet.org/Puri_SiddhaHanumaneng/

4. Kanapata Mahavir Hanuman Temple – https://lms.iskconsaidapet.org/puri_kanapatahanumaneng/

5. Phate Mahavir Hanuman Temple – https://lms.iskconsaidapet.org/Puri_PhateHanumaneng/

6. Masani Mahavir Hanuman Temple – https://lms.iskconsaidapet.org/Puri_MasaniMahaviraeng/

7. Bargi Mahavir Hanuman Temple – https://lms.iskconsaidapet.org/puri_bargihanumaneng/

8. Tapasvi Hanuman Temple – https://lms.iskconsaidapet.org/Puri_TapasviHanumaneng/

Apart from these 8 Hanuman temples, there are other Hanuman temples like Veer vikrama Hanuman temple also there in and around ( Siruli Hanuman Temple) Puri.

Objective 4. To explore how Lord Jagannath instructed Hanuman to make Siruli his permanent abode while continuing to watch over and protect Sri Mandir.

Siruli Mahavir Hanuman Temple

Siruli Mahavir Temple is situated at a small vi Siruli about 33 kms on the north east of Puri town on the way from Puri to Bhubaneswar.

The Snoring Tale: While Hanuman serving as a doorkeeper at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. His mighty snoring shook the temple and kept waking up Maa Lakshmi, who then complained to Lord Jagannath.

Moving to Siruli: To appease everyone, Lord Jagannath asked Hanuman to move. Hanuman moved two-and-a-half steps away and made Siruli his permanent home, promising to keep continuous watch. It is one of the important shrines of Odisha.

A huge figure( 10-foot ) of Lord Hanuman is enshrined in the sanctum who is the presiding deity of the temple. The image is carved on a single piece of stone in standing posture with —one eye is said to look toward the Jagannath Temple in Puri ( to serve Lord Jagannāth and protect Sri Mandir ), and the other gazes toward Lanka , which is native of Ravana ( keeping eye on Ravana).

Festivals like Makara Sankranti, Rama Navami, Dola Purnima are observed in this temple with great interest and splendor.

Siruli Mahavir Hanuman