Kashi Bhairav Yatra
Bhairav Tempels are a part of Kashi Bhairava Yatra which is an important part of Pawan Path Yatra that includes yatras of three important Bhairavas in Kashi i.e. Kaal Bhairava, Batuk Bhairava and Ashta Bhairava Yatra. Through this complete yatra reverents can receive blessings of Lord Bhairava.
1.1. Shri Kaal Bhairava Temple
Kaal Bhairava is a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva that is highly revered across the Indian subcontinent. According to Shiv Mahapuran, Lord Shiva gave the lordship of the holy city Kashi to Lord Kaal Bhairava forever. Being a ferocious form, who can control the time ( death ), this form of Lord Shiva is known as ??? Kaal Bhairava???. Lord Shiva took the form of Kaal Bhairava just to behead Lord Brahma during a fight between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu for proving their superiority. Kaal Bhairava is an extremely ferocious form of Lord Shiva that is believed to protect Kashi by destroying all the negative energies. It is believed that Lord Kaal Bhairava removes all the sins of his devotees and therefore also known as ???Paap Bhakshak???. Kaal Bhairava Temple is located at K-32/22, Bhaironath in Varanasi. The temple remains open for worship by reverents from 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM and from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
1.2. Shri Batuk Bhairava Temple
Shri Batuk Bhairava is a child form of Lord Bhairava who is worshipped even before Lord Shiva. Here ???Batuk??? refers to the son of a Brahmin. According to a story mentioned in Shiv Mahapuran, Batuk Bhairava was a Brahmin???s son who was the true devotee of Lord Shiva. Brahmin worshipped Lord Shiva with full devotion and determination. Being pleased with his prayers Lord Shiva gave him a boon that whosoever wants blessing from Lord Shiva should first worship Brahmin???s son i.e. Batuk Bhairava.
This form of Lord Bhairava is considered as virtuous, beautiful and lenient. It is believed that by worshipping this form of Lord Bhairava, devotees can achieve all kinds of happiness and riddhi-siddhi. According to a belief, if this form of Lord Bhairava is worshipped while chanting Bhairava Mantra, then Lord Bhairava fulfills all the desires of the devotee immediately in the form of his blessings. In Varanasi, Batuk Bhairava temple is located near Kamachha Devi Temple. Devotees can worship Batuk Bhairava any time according to their will.
1.3. Ashta Bhairava Yatra
Eight manifestations of Lord Bhairava has been incorporated in Ashta Bhairava Yatra. It is believed that merely by darshan of these eight forms of Lord Bhairava, devotees can get rid of the hardships of life and can attain blessings of Lord Bhairava. Following temples are being included in Ashta Bhairava Yatra:
1.3.1. Shri Ruru Bhairava Temple
Shri Ruru Bhairava is a trinetri (three-eyed), peaceful and young form of Lord Bhairava. This form of Lord Bhairava popularly known as Shri Ruru Bhairava, Guru Bhairava or Anand Bhairava is believed to enhance knowledge of devotees so that they can lead a successful life. His pure white appearance adorned with ornaments and gems depicts his divine look full of knowledge. Lord Ruru Bhairava is believed to be a guardian of South-north direction. In Varanasi, Shri Ruru Bhairava temple is located at B-4/16, Hanuman Ghat. Temple remains open for worship from 5.00 A.M. to 10.00 A.M. in the morning and from 5.00 P.M. to 9.30 P.M. in the evening. In the temple, aarti is performed twice a day.
1.3.2. Shri Chand Bhairava Temple
Shri Chand Bhairava is a trinetri (three-eyed), kind and young form of Lord Bhairava. This form of Lord Bhairava is blue-skinned and believed to possess supreme powers. It is believed that Lord Chand Bhairava blesses his devotees with incredible energy so that they can win over their rivals. He is believed to be a guardian of south direction. In Varanasi, Shri Chand Bhairava temple is located in the premises of the Durga Devi temple situated at B-27/2, Durga Kund. Temple remains open for worship throughout the day.
1.3.3. Shri Asitang Bhairava Temple
Shri Asitang Bhairava is a trinetri (three-eyed), kind and peaceful form of Lord Bhairava that is believed to bless their devotees by relieving their curses and afflictions. It is believed that by worshipping this bright skinned form of Lord Bhairava with well-formed limbs, carrying Trishula, Damaru and Sword, devotees can enhance their creative abilities and suceed in their endeavors. He is believed to be a guardian of east direction. In Varanasi, Shri Asitang Bhairava temple is located at Maidagin area in K-52/39, Maha Mrityunjay Temple near Vriddh Kaleshwar. Temple remains open for worship throughout the day.
1.3.4. Shri Krodhan Bhairava Temple
Shri Krodhan Bhairava is a trinetri (three-eyed), peaceful and young form of Lord Bhairava who is blue skinned. Popularly known as Aadi Bhairava, this form of Lord Bhairava gives strength and courage to his devotees so that they can acquire massive achievement in their lives. He is often depicted as smoke in his idols that carries a shield and a long sword in his hand. Lord Krodhan Bhairava is believed to remove all the obstacles of his devotees. He is believed to be a guardian of south-west direction. In Varanasi, Shri Krodhan Bhairava is located in Shri Batuk Bhairava temple which is situated at B-31/126, Kamachha. Temple is open for worship from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 12.00 AM. In the temple, aarti is performed twice a day.
1.3.5. Shri Kapal Bhairava Temple
Shri Kapal Bhairava is a trinetri (three-eyed), peaceful and young form of Lord Bhairava. He is depicted as yellow skinned in his idol. Shri Kapal Bhairava is a vajrayuddh form of Lord Bhairava that carries sword and water goblet in his hands and is a master of Indrani Shakti and rides on elephant. It is believed that Lord Kapal Bhairava guides his devotees in focussing on their work and fulfilling them virtuously. He is believed to be a guardian of north-west direction. In Varanasi, Shri Kapal Bhairava temple is located at A-1/123, Alaipur. Temple is open for worship from 6.00 AM to 11.00 AM and from 6.00 PM to 9.00 PM. The timings are flexible.
1.3.6. Shri Samhar Bhairava Temple
Shri Samhar Bhairava is a trinetri (three-eyed), young, dashbhuja (ten-handed), snake garland wearing fearless form of Lord Bhairava that grants his devotees eight types of wealth. In his idol Shri Samhar Bhairava is depicted in glowing skin carrying kunda, iron mace, Khattak, Parigha lauh mace as his weapons. It is believed that Lord Samhar Bhairava annihilates the sins of his devotees and guides them in winning over all kinds of negative energies. He is believed to be a guardian of north-east direction. In Varanasi, Shri Samhar Bhairava Temple is located at A-1/82, Patan Darwaja, near Gai Ghat. Temple is open for worship from 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
1.3.7. Shri Unmatt Bhairava Temple
Shri Unmatt Bhairava is a trinetri (three-eyed), peaceful and young form of Lord Bhairava who is bright skinned. This form of Lord Bhairava carries sword, skull, pestle and shield in his hand and swan is his vaahan. Lord Unmatt Bhairava guides his devotees in controlling harmful elements that imposes negative impact on their lives. He is believed to be a guardian of west direction. Shri Unmatt Bhairava temple is located at Deora Village which is situated about 10 kms away from Varanasi. Temple is open for worship throughout the day.
1.3.8. Shri Bheeshan Bhairava Temple
Shri Bheeshan Bhairava is a trinetri (three-eyed) and young form of Lord Bhairava who is depicted as red skinned in his idol. This form of Lord Bhairava carries Kunda, iron mace, khattak and Parigha lauh mace and Bhindipala ankush. It is believed that Lord Bheeshan Bhairava relieves curses and afflictions of his devotees and grant them power to win over evil spirits and negative energies. He is believed to be a guardian of north direction. In Varanasi, Shri Bheeshan Bhairava temple is located at K-63/28 near Jyeshteshwar. Temple is open for worship from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
For more information related to Kashi Bhaiarav Yatra, log on to www.pawanpath.up.gov.in