The ancient Kaal Bhairav temple, situated in Vishesharganj near the intersection
of Chauli Road and Kabir Chaura Road, is one among the nine Bhairav temples
in the city. This highly revered shrine is devoted to Kaal Bhairav, a
fearsome manifestation of Lord Shiva (wearing skull garland and carrying
a club of peacock feathers), who cut off the fifth head of Brahma. Kaal
means not only black but also death and fate and legends says that even
death is afraid of Kaal Bhairav. The main deity is also called as
'Black Terror' or 'Kotwal of Varanasi' which means the guardian of Kashi,
who occupies the position of a watchman with a dog ( his vehicle). The
part of the city in which this temple stands is known as Kotwalpuri.
The shrine of Kaal Bhairav is located in the center of a fine courtyard
and one can enter the temple complex from the street through a door protected
by Bhairav's mount, the dog. The idol of the lord decorated with a garland
of skulls can be seen inside the temple carrying a bunch of peacock feathers
and it is seated upon a dog. The face of the idol is silver coloured and
the other parts is said to the pot bellied. Only the face can be seen
through the doorway of inner sanctum while the other parts are hidden
behind a cloth drapery. A sacred thread is available at the temple known
as Kashi threads that is believed to give protection against evil forces.
Kaal Bhairav temple is the only temple which miraculously escaped from
the hands of Aurangzeb.
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