Kaal Bhairav

Kaal Bhairav Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. The temple is open to devotees of all castes and religions and is particularly popular among the followers of the Tantric tradition. It is believed that Lord Kaal Bhairav is the guardian deity of the city and provides protection to his devotees from all forms of evil. Kaal Bhairav is also known as “Kashi ka kotwal”.

​

The temple's lore:

The temple is believed to have been built in the 17th century by the Maratha ruler, Malhar Rao Holkar. The deity, Lord Kaal Bhairav, is depicted as a fearsome, black-faced god, holding a trident in one hand and a skull in the other. The temple complex is spread over a vast area and consists of several smaller shrines dedicated to various deities.

The temple is particularly famous for its unique ritual of offering liquor to Lord Kaal Bhairav. It is believed that the deity is fond of liquor, and therefore, devotees offer him liquor as a form of offering. The liquor is then distributed among the devotees as a sacred offering from the deity.

Kaal Bhairav temple isa centre of worship for Aghoris and Tantrikas, it is believed to be of enormous religious value. According to Hindu Dharma, the temple is dedicated to Batuk Bhairav, Lord Shiva’s avatar. There is a sacread Akhand Deep, which has been blazing for centuries, is a fascinating element of the shrine. This lamp’s oil is supposed to have healing properties.