Darya Mahavir or Bedi Hanuman Temple Puri

Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Bedi Hanuman Temple is located on Chakra Tirtha road in Puri, Odisha. It is a small temple near the Puri Sea Beach; however, it holds quite significance in the religious history of Puri.
‘Bedi Hanuman’ literally means ‘Chained Hanuman’, and the reason for such a name has an interesting story behind it. The shrine is also called Daria Mahavir Temple, where ‘Daria’ means Sea and ‘Mahavir’ meaning Lord Hanuman. It is a belief that it is Daria Mahavir’s duty to protect Puri against the fury of the sea and ensure that it does not cross the peripheral boundaries of the city.
History of Bedi Hanuman Temple Puri
According to folklore, Lord Hanuman was given the charge of guarding Puri against the fury of the sea, day and night, by Lord Jagannath. However, once he left for Ayodhya to eat ladoos (sweet) without informing Lord Jagannath. Meanwhile, the sea water entered Puri and considerably damaged the Jagannath Temple.
Lord Jagannath found out about Lord Hanuman’s unscheduled visit to Ayodhya. When Hanuman returned to Puri, Lord Jagannath tied his hands and feet with a rope and instructed him to vigil the seashore. It is a popular belief that since that time sea water has never entered Puri and reached till the Jagannath Temple.