Bedi Hanuman: When Lord Jagannath ordered Lord Hanuman to guard Puri

Lord Hanuman is believed to be among the seven immortal living beings in the Hindu pantheon who will live until the end of Kali Yuga. But not many are familiar with the lesser-known story about Hanuman’s bond with Lord Jagannath.

Puri: Hanuman is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana and he is known for his strength, courage, selflessness and righteous conduct. Hanuman is also known as the greatest devotee of Lord Rama.

According to religious texts, Lord Jagannath is also considered as the incarnator of Shri Rama. So Hanuman, the greatest Rama-devotee, continues to protect the abode of Lord Jagannath as 'Bedi Hanuman' at Siruli in Odisha's Puri. Located about 27 km northeast of Puri town, Siruli Mahavir is a small temple. The idol is made of black chlorite and its height is about 10 feet. The deity exhibits Lord Rama and Sita in his pierced heart.

According to mythology, once the sea (Bay of Bengal) has damaged thrice to temple of Lord Jagannath, therefore he appointed Hanuman to protect the Puri and temple from the sea. Hanuman stood at ‘Chakra-Teerth’ to ensure that no damage is done by sea to the temple.

According to another mythological story, the supreme Lord Jagannath has accepted Mahalaxmi, the princess of the ocean king (Varuna Dev) as his wife and to see his son-in-law and daughter, Varuna Dev used to visit the grand temple many times. As a result of which the holy land of ‘Sree Kshetra’ and the holy twenty-two steps leading to the main temple were flooded. The people of the holy land regularly suffered damages due to infiltration of the seawater and finding to another way they complained before Lord Jagannath.

After hearing the pleas of his people, Lord Jagannath who always appreciates the sentiments of his devotees and ordered Lord Hanuman to keep a close watch on the shore of the sea. Since then, the colossus Hanuman positioned himself like an alert guard. The 'Bedi Hanuman' is also called “Daria (sea) Hanuman” as he saves Jagannath temple from the ravages of the sea.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Achyutananda Dasmaharaj, Scholar, Jagannath culture said," Lord Jagannath had engaged Hanuman to guard Srimandir at Puri. It is said that Hanuman’s snoring disturbed Goddess Lakshmi’s sleep. So, she complained to Lord Jagannath who asked his guard to shift two and a half feet back and Hanuman shifted to Siruli. There is a temple of Chained Hanuman in Puri which is now called ‘Bedi Hanuman."

"The Jagannath temple is protected by Hanuman from all the directions. Srimandir has four gates. There are Asta Hanuman or Mahaviras engaged in protecting the Puri Dhama. They are Siddha Mahavira, Daria Mahavira or Bedi Mahavira, Kanapata Mahavira, Vargi Mahavira, Masani Mahavira, Pancha Mukhi Mahavira, and Phate Mahavira," he said.

Dr Rama Charan Dash, Scholar, Jagannath culture, said," According to the age-old sayings, the Lord Jagannath had entrusted the responsibility to Hanuman to remain here and safeguard the Jagannath temple from the anger of the sea. Hanuman has protected the temple but he was used to travelling to different places like Ayodhya, Kailash, Anjana and also go to visit Lord Jagannath. Sea takes advantage of the absence of Hanuman and again start causing the problem to Puri, saints and temple."

"Therefore Lord Jagannath ordered saint Angrisa to bind Hanuman with the big gold chain when he was in sleep. When Hanuman got up in the morning he was unable to move his feet. He tried to break the chain but he noticed that the name of Lord ‘Ram’ was written on it. He was a great devotee of Lord Ram, therefore, he could not break the chain. Hence the accepted the boundation. There is a temple of Chained Hanuman in Puri which is now called ‘Bedi Hanuman’," he said.

Though the Bedi Hanuman temple does not hold much importance from the architectural point of view, from the religious angle, it is one of the most sacred shrines in Odisha.