Kalabhairava, also known as Kala Bhairava, is a fierce manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva, associated with time, destruction, and protection. He is often depicted as a fearsome figure, sometimes with a dog as his vahana (vehicle). Kalabhairava is revered for his power to destroy evil, remove obstacles, and protect devotees.
Here’s a more details:
Kalabhairava is a powerful destructive aspect of the Siva. He is the guardian of time (Kala) and is believed to be the one who brings about destruction and transformation. While Kalabhairava is a destroyer of evil, he is also a protector of those who are devoted to him. He is seen as a guardian of temples, time, and his devotees. He is revered for his ability to remove obstacles, protect from negative influences, and bestow blessings upon his followers.
He is also known as the “Kotwal of Kashi” (Guardian Varanasi), signifying his role as the guardian of the city. So while visiting Varanasi one is advised to visit the Kalabhairava temple first.
The dog, often depicted with Kalabhairava, symbolizes loyalty, protection, and the ability to overcome fear.
The legend of the origin of Bhairava is traced back to a conversation between Brahma and Vishnu described in the Shiva Purana.
Shiva manifested as a pillar of light to settle the dispute of superiority between Brahma and Vishnu. Brahma dishonestly proclaimed his victory, stating that he had discovered the higher end of the pillar of light. To punish him for his dishonesty and arrogance, Shiva produced Bhairava from the region between his brows. When Bhairava sought instruction from Shiva, the deity directed him to “worship Brahma with his sharp-pointed quick-moving sword”. Bhairava decapitated the fifth head of Brahma for uttering the falsehood. Vishnu interceded on Brahma’s behalf and sought mercy, and the two deities then worshipped Shiva.
Having committed the sin of brahmahatya (the murder of a Brahmin) by decapitating Brahma, Bhairava was pursued by the terrible female personification of the sin. The skull of Brahma was still attached to his hand. To expiate himself of the sin, Bhairava roamed the three worlds. He visited Vaikuntha, where he was honoured by Vishnu and Lakshmi. When Bhairava visited Kashi, the city of the liberated, Brahmahatya left him, and the skull of Brahma was released from his hand.
Temples or shrines to Bhairava are present within or near most Jyotirlinga temples. There are also the sacred twelve shrines, 12 Jyotirlingas, dedicated to Shiva which can be found all across India. Varanasi Kal Bhairava temple and the Kal Bhairava temple, Ujjain. The Patal Bhairava and Vikrant Bhairava shrines are located in Ujjain as well.
Adi Sankara composed a hymn on Kala Bhairava called “Sri Kalabhairavasthakam” in the city of Kashi.
There are may famous temples built by Kings and devotees. In this section mostly I included the temples mentioned in the ancient scriptures by the great rishis as holy places and also several others created by the great saint Adi Shankaracharya, where he meditated and infused them with his holy vibrations to give auspicious results to the devotees.
Temples mentioned in the ancient scriptures:
Kalabhairav Ujjain Kal Bhairav Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Kalabhairav Varanasi Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi
Kalabhairav temple Delhi Known as Kilkari Bhairava, Delhi, established by the Pandavas.
Other Notable Kalabhairava Temples:
64 Bhairava temple Cholapuram Kalabhairava Cholapuram Temple: Considered the birthplace of all 64 forms of Bhairavas, also known as Aadi Peetha.
Sree Kalabhairava Swamy Temple, Isannapally: The only Kalabhairava Swamy temple in South India.
Kalabhairava Temple, Kathmandu: A Hindu shrine in Kathmandu dedicated to Lord Kalabhairava.
Bhairava has many aspects and associations.
There are the main Ashta Bhairavas (“Eight Bhairavas”) are eight manifestations of the Bhairava. They guard and control the eight directions. Each Bhairava has eight sub Bhairavas under him. There are also the Ashta-Matrikas or Bhairavis (Eight Matrikas/Bhairavis), their consorts.
(There is also a separate Batuka Bhairava, “Batuk” signifies a child or young boy, and this form is often depicted as a youthful and a gentle deity, in contrast to the fierce or wrathful forms sometimes associated with Bhairava, representing a more approachable and benevolent aspect of Siva as Bhairava, to offer protection, remove fear, and grant blessings of prosperity and happiness).
Sri Asithaanga Bhairavar
Consort: Bhrami
Vahana: Swan (nnam)
Direction: East
Planet: Pushyami
Nakshatra: Pushyami
Symbolises: Represents the primordial elements and the essence of creation. Asitanga Bhairava signifies purity and the foundational nature of existence.
Weapon: Sword
Sri Ruru Bhairavar
Consort: Maheshwari
Vahana: Ox (Rishabam)
Direction: Southeast
Planet: Venus
Nakshatra: Krttika, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Phalguni
Symbolises: Ruru Bhairava is the guardian of knowledge, wisdom, and arts. He inspires creativity and intellectual growth.
Weapon: Akshamala (rosary), Pustaka (book), Veena (lute), and a Khatvanga (skull-topped staff)
Sri Chanda Bhairavar
Consort: Koumaari
Vahana: Peacock
Direction: South
Planet: Mars
Nakshatra: Mrigashirsha, Chitra, Dhanishta
Symbolises: Chanda Bhairava personifies strength and valor, protecting devotees from adversaries and guiding them toward righteousness.
Weapon: Damaru (drum), Trishula (trident), Khatvanga (skull-topped staff), and a Sword
Sri Krodha Bhairavar
Consort: Vaishnavi
Vahana: Eagle (Garuda)
Direction: South-West
Planet: Saturn
Nakshatra: Rohini, Hasta, Shravana
Symbolises: Embodiment of divine anger, he uses his energy to destroy evil and uphold dharma.
Weapon: Shakti (spear), Damaru (drum), Khetaka (shield), and Khadga (sword)
Sri Unmatha Bhairavar
Consort: Vaarahi
Vahana: Horse
Direction: West
Planet: Mercury
Nakshatra: Punarvasu, Vishakha, Anuradha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada
Symbolises: Unmatta Bhairava represents divine ecstasy, joy, and bliss. He embodies the transcendental state achieved through devotion and meditation.
Weapon: Damaru (drum), Pasha (noose), Shula (spear), and Kapala (skull bowl)
Sri Kapaala Bhairavar
Consort: Indrani
Vahana: Elephant
Direction: North-West
Planet: Moon
Nakshatra: Bharani, Purva Ashadha, Purva Phalguni
Symbolises: Kapala Bhairava is the protector of sacred rituals and ensures the sanctity of spiritual practices.
Weapon: Kapala (skull bowl),
Sri Bheeshana Bhairavar
Consort: Chamundi
Vahana: Lion
Direction: North
Planet: Ketu
Nakshatra: Ardra, Svati, Shatabhisha, Ashvini, Magha, Mula
Symbolises: Fearsome yet compassionate, Bheeshana Bhairava destroys fear and provides solace to his devotees.
Weapon: Trishula (trident), Damaru (drum), Khatvanga (skull-topped staff), and Ghanta (bell)
Sri Samhaara Bhairavar
Consort: Chandi
Vahana: Dog
Direction: Northeast
Planet: Rahu
Nakshatra: Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati
Symbolises: The ultimate destroyer, Samhara Bhairava eliminates ignorance, evil, and attachments, paving the way for liberation.
Weapon: Khadga (sword), Khatvanga (skull-topped staff), Pasha (noose), and Damaru (drum)
The details of the Astha Matrikas are as follows:
The eight groups of 64 Bhairavas, eight each under the principle Bhairava, are:
1.Under the main Astha Bhairava – Asitanga Bhairava: (East, Consort: Brahmani, Vahana: Swan):
Nilakanta Bhairava, Rudra Bhairava, Vamana Bhairava, Vishnu Bhairava, Daksha Bhairava, Kala Bhairava, Kamadeva Bhairava, Hansa Bhairava
2.Under the main Astha Bhairava – Ruru Bhairava (Southeast, Consort: Maheshwari, Vahana: Bull):
Nandi Bhairava, Shankara Bhairava, Bhima Bhairava, Ganesha Bhairava, Skanda Bhairava, Vrishabha Bhairava, Mahadeva Bhairava, Surya Bhairava
3.Under the main Astha Bhairava – Chanda Bhairava (South, Consort: Kaumari, Vahana: Peacock):
Kartikeya Bhairava, Agni Bhairava, Chandra Bhairava, Kumara Bhairava, Pavaka Bhairava, Subrahmanya Bhairava, Mayura Bhairava, Jvalanta Bhairava
4.Under the main Astha Bhairava – Krodha Bhairava (Southwest, Consort: Vaishnavi, Vahana: Garuda):
Garuda Bhairava, Narayana Bhairava, Vasudeva Bhairava, Krishna Bhairava, Madhava Bhairava, Aniruddha Bhairava, Suparna Bhairava, Vishvamitra Bhairava
5.Under the main Astha Bhairava – Unmatta Bhairava (West, Consort: Varahi, Vahana: Horse):
Varaha Bhairava, Hayagriva Bhairava, Ashvapala Bhairava, Vayu Bhairava, Upendra Bhairava, Turanga Bhairava, Manmatha Bhairava, Hamsika Bhairava
6.Under the main Astha Bhairava – Kapala Bhairava (Northwest, Consort: Indrani, Vahana: Elephant):
Indra Bhairava, Airavata Bhairava, Vajra Bhairava, Shakra Bhairava, Gaja Bhairava, Mahendra Bhairava, Sachin Bhairava, Devendra Bhairava
7.Under Bhishana Bhairava (North, Consort: Chamundi, Vahana: Lion):
Simha Bhairava, Narasimha Bhairava, Chandika Bhairava, Durga Bhairava, Kshetrapala Bhairava, Yogeshwara Bhairava, Mahakala Bhairava, Rudraka Bhairava
8.Under the main Astha Bhairava – Samhara Bhairava (Northeast, Consort: Chandi, Vahana: Lion):
Chanda Bhairava (distinct from the primary Chanda), Mahamaya Bhairava, Yamantaka Bhairava, Kshetradhara Bhairava,Shankhachuda Bhairava, Kalantaka Bhairava, Tripurari Bhairava, Heruka Bhairava
The names of 64 Yoginis with their respective Bhairava consorts are as follows:
jaya — nilakanta bhairava
vijaya — vishalaksha bhairava
jayanti — martanda bhairava
aparajitha — mundana prabhu bhairava
divya mohini — svacanda bhairava
maha yogini — athi santhushta bhairava
siddha mohini — kechara bhairava
ganeshara yogini — samhara bhairava
prethasini -vish!a rupa bhairava
dakini — viribaaksha bhairava
kali — nana rupa bhairava
kaalaratri — parama bhairava
nicashari — dandha karna bhairava
dannkari — shudha patra bhairava
vethalya — chirithan bhairava
humkari — unmatta bhairava
urtla keshi — megha natha bhairava
virubakshii — mano vegha bhairava
sushkaanggi — kshetrabala bhairava
nara bojini — karala bhairava
petkari — nirbaya bhairava
virabatra — bishitha bhairava
pitha — maha bhairava
dhrotaki .tara — balana bhairava
mantra yogini — loka bala bhairava
ghora raktakshi — bhumi garbha bhairava
rakshasi dhumrakshi — pralaya bhairava
varahi — runda maala bhairava
pretha vahini — samhara bhairava
tvankshini — apra rupa bhairava
malini — maha kaala bhairava
vira koumari — kula bala bhairava
dhumranki — vishnu bhairava
maha mari — kula bhairava
cakrini — bishana bhairava
bhairavi — pingalekshna bhairava
dhirga lamboshdi — raktangga bhairava
kadgini — vatuka natha bhairava
yama dhuti — antakha bhairava
munda dharini — prekshatha bhairava
kalaha priya — pracandha bhairava
candika — ghada dhara bhairava
vishla rupi — mantra nayaka bhairava
kan kaali — kapala bhairava
uma — rudrabhairava
bhuvaneshvari — praja balana bhairava
kaali — vajra hasta bhairava
abayankari — kapala bhushana bhairava
totyami — sashi vahana bhairava
kaarmukhi — sarva bhutha bhairava
thunkshini — bayankara bhairava
durjadi — ishana bhairava
vyakrini — kalagni bhairava
karaali — ghora natha bhairava
pretha rupini — maha routra bhairava
vishalanka — bhutha vethala bhairava
keshini — bukti mukti pala pradha bhairava
gorya — dakshinapistitha bhairava
karal — varada bhairava
nir varani — tripurantaka bhairava
roma janke — parvatha vahana bhairava
vishali — sarvagnya bhairava
atho mukhi — sarva deva bhairava
mundakra dharini — trinetra bhairava
You can also see The Chousath/64 Yogini temples
