Ashtadikpala Worship

[ShivaFan]

Namaste
Images of the Ashtadikpala, those who rule over the 8 realms, can be found in some temples. Can further insights be made on the Ashtadikpala? Should they be given puj as a combined pantheon specific to Function, as the 9 planet (Navagraha) are in some cases? Does temple iconography of them tend to be more common amoung Saiva, Vaishnav, Shakta or common to all denominations?
Traditionally the 8 together are
East Indra
West Varuna
North Kubera
South Yama
South East Agni
South West Niruthi
North East Isana
South West Vayu

The *Mailkarjuna temple near Bangalore which is a Lingam temple has many fine sculptures including the 8 Guardians carved into a ceiling. Do they still play a role in modern temples and worship?
Om Namah Sivaya

[Viraja]

I have done worship of Ashtadikbalakas prior to Satyanarayana puja, VaibhavaLakshmi puja without knowing why exactly. Would be a nice to know..

[Twilightdance]

Namaste
Images of the Ashtadikpala, those who rule over the 8 realms, can be found in some temples. Can further insights be made on the Ashtadikpala? Should they be given puj as a combined pantheon specific to Function, as the 9 planet (Navagraha) are in some cases? Does temple iconography of them tend to be more common amoung Saiva, Vaishnav, Shakta or common to all denominations?
Traditionally the 8 together are
East Indra
West Varuna
North Kubera
South Yama
South East Agni
South West Niruthi
North East Isana
South West Vayu

The *Mailkarjuna temple near Bangalore which is a Lingam temple has many fine sculptures including the 8 Guardians carved into a ceiling. Do they still play a role in modern temples and worship?
Om Namah Sivaya

I am not aware of any more significance than being guardians of the 10 directions and rulers over other classes of sentient beings and lokas.