Kaal Bhairav Temple Varanasi – History
The Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the oldest temples. It’s dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav, also known as the guardian of Sati Pind. According to belief, one needs Lord Kalabhairava’s permission to approach the Sati Pinda. This temple is very important to the people who follow its teachings.
Bhairav Nath, a form of Lord Shiva, is worshipped as Batuk Bhairav. It’s believed he emerged from Lord Shiva’s third eye. The temple’s been a part of Varanasi’s history for countless years, but we don’t have an exact date for its construction. There are many interesting stories connected to this temple.
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma are the three main Gods. Once, there was a disagreement between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu about who was the most powerful. The Vedas, which are important scriptures, declared Lord Shiva as the top God. This made Lord Vishnu surrender, but Lord Brahma kept looking at the powerful light. This caused one of his heads to burn out. The light created a being named Kal, who walked across the world holding Brahma’s head. When he reached Kashi, now Varanasi, the head fell to the ground, and his sins were washed away. Kal decided to stay in Varanasi.
While we don’t know the exact year the temple was built, we think it might have been around the 17th century based on old writings.
Kaal Bhairav Temple Varanasi Timings
The Varanasi Kaal Bhairava Temple welcomes visitors during the following hours:
- From 05:00 AM to 01:30 PM, and again from 04:30 PM to 09:30 PM (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).
- On Sundays and Tuesdays, the temple is open from 04:00 AM to 01:30 PM, and later from 03:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
- Mangala Aarti Timing: 04:00AM
- Bhog/Aarti Timing: 01:00 PM
- Sandhya Aarti Timing: 08:00 PM to 08:30 PM
- Shayan Aarti Timing: 12:00 AM
Accommodation facilities near Kaal Bhairav Temple
For those planning a visit, there are plenty of accommodation options like hotels, restaurants, and Dharamshalas near the temple. It’s a good idea for devotees to book in advance.
Getting to the temple is convenient as it’s well-connected by road, rail, and air. The months of March, August, September, November, December, and February tend to have the highest number of visitors to the temple. This might be something to keep in mind when planning your trip.
Things to know before visiting the Kaal Bhairav Temple ?
- While it’s a common practice to buy sesame oil and flowers for the deity, it’s not obligatory. You can find shops outside the temple to purchase these items.
- Alcohol is offered to the deity, and the highest form of service (Seva) is known as Khappar Seva in the Kaal Bhairav Temple.
- The entrance to the inner sanctum of the temple is located at the backside, and only the priests are allowed to enter.
- You’ll see the fierce God along with his celestial vehicle, a dog.
- As you move around the temple, you may come across holy men with fans made of peacock feathers. They use these to bless pilgrims and ward off sins.
- There is no entry fee or need for prior booking for darshans (viewing of the deity) in the temple.
