TAX ID #
25-1584149
Shirdi Sai Saba Temple
Pittsburgh, PA
"Aum Kaalakaalaaya Vidhmahey Kaalaatheethaaya Dheemahi
Thanno Kaala Bhairava Prachodhayaath"
There are 64 forms of Kaala Bhairavaas. They are grouped into eight main forms. Bhairavi is the form of a goddess, the consort of Kaala Bhairava. She is one of the manifestations of Kali, the fierce form of divine Shakti, who is also known by many other names such as Parvati, Durga, and Bhagavathi.
Types of Kaalabhairava & Sakti Bhairavi
Asithaanga Bhairava & Bhrahmi Bhairavi
Ruru Bhairavaa & Mahieswari Bhairavi
Chanda Bhairavaa & Koumari Bhairavi
Krodha Bhairavaa & Vaishnavi Bhairavi
Unmattha Bhairavaa & Varahi Bhairavi
Kapaala Bhairavaa & Indrani Bhairavi
Bheeshana Bhairavaa & Chamunda Bhairavi
Samhaara Bhairava & Maha Lakshmi
The legend says Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were in the middle of a fight regarding who is supreme to whom. Lord Shiva appeared as divine light in front of them to mediate the fight, but an angry Lord Brahma stared at the light in disgust.
This provoked Lord Shiva, who brought out Kaal Bhairav and beheaded the fifth head of Lord Brahma, who dared to stare at the light in disgust. it happened in the heat of the moment, but beheading a Brahmin is a sin (Brahma Hatya Pataka). The fifth head of Lord Brahma stuck on the hands of Kaal Bhairav and followed him everywhere. Finally, Kaal Bhairav was able to wash off his sin at Varanasi, where the head dropped by itself from his hands. Lord Shiva ordered him to stay in the sacred land of Varanasi where he will clear the sins of the pilgrims who visit the Kaal Bhairav Temple of Varanasi.
So Kaal Bhairav Temple of Varanasi is a must-visit place when you visit Kasi Vishwanath Temple.
Significance of the prayer: Kaala Bhairav, this form of Lord Shiva, destroys fear. He protects his devotees from enemies like greed, anger, and lust. He is beyond time and death. The puja provides strength to fight against evil and protects one from black magic.
Purification of mind, body and soul is attained by the Bhairava puja.
Ashtami, the 8th day after the Full Moon day is highly auspicious to worship Lord Kaala Bhairava. Coconut, Sindhoor, flowers, mustard oil, black sesame, etc., should be offered to Lord Bhairava.
For Naivedya, we can offer Vada, Payasam, Fresh Fruits, Dry fruits, Milk, Curd, Honey, and Sugar /Jaggery.
The devotees observe fast to Kaala Bhairavaa and offer prayers.
to seek protection from evil spirits and black magic.
Kaalabhairava Ashtakam: Kaalabhairava Ashtakam is a beautiful Sanskrit hymn by Adi Shankara. It comprises eight stanzas that depict the qualities of Kaala Bhairava of Kasi, the God of Death.
Bhairava Temples
One can easily find Bhairava idols in all Shiva temples. These idols are located in the north-facing and south-facing directions. Bhairava is generally depicted in a standing position with four hands. He holds a drum, a paasa (noose), a trident, and a skull. Some forms of Bhairava depict more than four hands. He is normally shown as Digambar (without clothing - encompassing the entire space within him).
Temples of Kaala Bhairava can be predominantly found around the Shakti Peetas. It is believed that Shiva allocated each Bhairava to guard one of the 52 Shakti Peetas. The Shakti Peetas are holy places of worship dedicated to Goddess Shakti, the main principal deity of the Shaktya sect. Goddess Shakti is often associated with harmony, peace, prosperity, longevity, strength, marital felicity, and the destruction of evil.
In Karnataka, Lord Kaalabhairaveshwara is revered as the Kshetrapalaka of the Sri Adichunchanagiri Math. The Gowdas of this region adore him as the Supreme Godhead. Those belonging to the Gangadikara Gowda caste consider him the caretaker and punisher.
The Sri Kaala Bhairava Nath Swami temple in Madhya Pradesh is yet another famous temple dedicated to worshiping this manifestation of Shiva.
Bhairava is one of the most important deities of the Newars in Nepal. Most settlements there have at least one temple. Also, the Bhairava temples in that country are mostly maintained by Newar priests.
They are many more temples all over.
Kaala Bhairava Jayanthi - Monday, December 4, 2023
Benefits: To free from all the troubles, diseases, sorrows, and fear of death, and to remove one's sufferings.
We did Deepa yagna and lit lamps as part of the World Peace Yagna Series 2018 on Sunday, November 4th, in Sri Kaalabhairava Temple - UJJAIN - Madhya Pradesh.
To emanate light and wisdom and take away negative tendencies from our lives.