Bhuleshwar Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple Mumbai

Bhuleshwar Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple -Mumbai

Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple is located at Bhuleshwar in South Mumbai.Locals believe that this Panchmukhi Hanuman temple could be over 300 years old.

The temple houses a 5-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman with five heads, two facing south and the other three facing the other directions.The five heads belong to Varaha, Garuda, Hanuman, Narasimha and Hayagreeva and was a form he took to conquer Ahiravan, brother of Ravana.

Panchmukhi Hanuman idol of Lord Hanuman was found in the sea by fishermen known as Kolis, who established it here at Bhuleshwar.

There is a story behind Lord Hanuman taking this Panchmukhi (Five-Faced) form. According to mythology, Ravana sought help from his brother Ahiravan as soon as he realized that he has been defeated by Lord Rama in war. When Ravana asked for his help, Ahiravan laid a trap and put all of Lord Rama’s associates to sleep. He then took Lord Rama and Lord Lakshman as captive, and took them to Paatal Lok (the underworld). As soon as Vibhishan regained consciousness, he understood all of Ahiravan’s tricks and asked Lord Hanuman to go to Paatal Lok and rescue Lord Rama and Lord Lakshmana.

Hanuman ji then reached Pataal Lok in the search of Lord Rama and Lord Lakshmana. On reaching Paatal Lok, Lord Hanuman first defeated Makardhwaj and then approached Ahiravan. Ahiravan was so blessed that he could be killed by only one who could extinguish 5 lamps lit by him at once.

Taking advantage of this, Ahiravan burnt lamps in all 5 directions. Seeing this situation, Hanuman took the Panchmukhi form and extinguished all five diyas at once. He then succeeded in killing Ahiravan. From then on, Lord Hanuman’s Panchmukhi form began to be worshipped.

Panchmukhi Hanuman here protects his devotees from enemies, negative forces or energies, eliminates illnesses, diseases and ill effects of Planets like Saturn(Shani), Mangal(Mars).