Kaal Bhairav Mandir, Varanasi
Kaal Bhairav Mandir | |
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Temple location on Varanasi district map | |
Geography | |
Coordinates |
25°19′04″N 82°58′26″E / 25.317645°N 82.973914°ECoordinates: 25°19′04″N 82°58′26″E / 25.317645°N 82.973914°E काल भैरव मंदिर |
Country |
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State | Uttar Pradesh |
District | Varanasi |
Location | Visheshwarganj, Varanasi |
Elevation | 80.985[1] m (266 ft) |
Culture | |
Sanctum | Lord Shiva |
Major festivals |
Rudraksha Shringar Annakut Bhairav Ashtami |
History | |
Date built | 17th century |
Kaal Bhairav Mandir (Hindi: काल भैरव मंदिर) is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Varanasi, India. Situated in Bharonath, Vishweshwarganj (Varanasi), this temple has great historical and cultural importance in Hinduism; especially amongst the locals. The temple is dedicated to Bhairava (Kaal Bhairav), a fierce form of Shiva and wears a garland of skulls and carries a club of peacock feathers. The word "Kaal" means both "death" and "fate". It is believed that even death is afraid of Kaal Bhairav.
Housed in the inner sanctum of the temple is a silver faced idol of Kal Bhairav who is seated on his vahana (vehicle), a dog and is holding a trident. Only the face of the icon decorated (with garlands) is visible to the visitors through the doorway. Rest of the icon is covered with a piece of cloth. On the rear door of the temple, there is an icon of Kshetrapal Bhairav, another aspect of Bhairava.[2][3][4]
Religious belief
Once, the gods Brahma and Vishnu were competing for supremacy. Then Shiva appeared as a powerful divine light between the duo. An angry Brahma stared at the pillar of light with his 5th head, which started to burn out of anger. Shiva has instantly created the new being Bhairava or Kaal Bhairav (King of "Kaal": "Kaal Bhairav"), who decapitated Brahma's 5th head. However, the head stuck to Kaal Bhairav's hand.
Shiva then ordered Kaal Bhairav to go to various places but Brāhmanahatya, the sin of beheading Brahma personified as a gory woman, followed him until he reached Varanasi where Brahma's head fell on the ground. The place is called "Kapal Mochan Teerth". He was freed of the sin of Brāhmanahatya as he entered Varanasi. Shiva then pronounced that "Kaal Bhairav" will forever be in Varanasi in order to remove sins of his disciples.[2][3][4]
History
Exact date of construction of Kaal Bhairav temple is not known but it is estimated that the current structure was built in the mid 17th century AD.[2][3][4] This is a result of the Islamist conquest of North India which resulted in the destruction of many shrines.
Religious importance
Kaal Bhairav is believed to be the Kotwal (Chief police officer) of Creation; everyone who wants to exist in Creation(even if Gods) needs to take his permission to exist. He is also believed to be the Kotwal of "Sati pind" and without his permission, no one can touch the "Sati pind". Kaal Bhairav protects the devotees from all the problems.[2][3][4]
See also
References
- ↑ "Elevation". Elevation finder. Retrieved 15 Jun 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kaal Bhairav Mandir". Varanasi.org. Retrieved 15 Jun 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "About Mandir". Eastern U.P. Tourism. Retrieved 15 Jun 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kaal Bhairav". Religious Portal. Retrieved 15 Jun 2015.