About Kal Bhairav Temple Varanasi
Tucked within the vibrant, winding lanes of old Varanasi lies the sacred Kal Bhairav Temple, dedicated to one of the most fierce and powerful avatars of Lord Shiva. Known reverently as the Kotwal of Kashi (the police chief or protector of Varanasi), Lord Kal Bhairav is believed to guard the holy city against evil forces and ensure spiritual order.
According to age-old tradition, every pilgrim visiting Varanasi must pay homage at this shrine to seek permission from the deity before beginning their spiritual journey in Kashi. The atmosphere inside the inner sanctum is charged with intense devotion. The silver-faced idol of Kal Bhairav is adorned with vibrant marigold garlands, and he is depicted holding a trident while seated on his divine vehicle, a dog.
Devotees offer mustard oil, traditional sweets, and black protective threads called Ganda, which priest tie around wrists to ward off negative energies and evil spirits.
History
The mythological origin of Kal Bhairav is detailed in the ancient Shiva Purana. A fiery debate over supremacy once arose between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. When Lord Brahma expressed arrogance, Lord Shiva manifested as the fierce warrior Kal Bhairav from his anger and severed Brahma's fifth head.
However, decapitating a deity incurred the grave sin of Brahmahatya. As penance, Kal Bhairav roamed the cosmos carrying Brahma's severed skull stuck to his hand. Upon stepping into the sacred territory of Kashi, the skull fell to the earth, immediately absolving him of the sin. Deeply moved, Lord Shiva commanded Kal Bhairav to stay permanently in Kashi as its eternal protector and judge of sins.
While the temple site has existed since ancient times, the contemporary shrine structure was reconstructed during the Maratha period in the 17th and 18th centuries.