Kāla-Bhairava of Varanasi
Deities

Kāla-Bhairava of Varanasi

Kāla-Bhairava — chief-of-police of Varanasi

Status · Anusandhāna
Source · Tier 2
Tradition · Hindu
Period · Varies

Kāla-Bhairava of Varanasi

Tradition

Hindu / Shaiva / Tantric

Location

  • Varanasi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (25.3168°N, 83.0086°E)

Sacred Narrative

Kāla-Bhairava of Varanasi is the Kotwāl (police-chief) of the holy city — every pilgrim to Kāśī Viśvanātha must first get permission from Bhairava. The deity rides a dog; devotees feed dogs as his prasadam. Tradition: Bhairava's anger is severe (one of Shiva's fiercest forms). The shrine sits 1 km from Viśvanātha. Offerings: black-silk thread (kālāvā), dog-feeding, ritual alcohol.

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✦Wisdom Graph: Divine Associations✦

MantraTradition-specific
Offerings
tradition-specific
Sacred colours
tradition-specific

📖 Stories

  • Narrative of Kāla-Bhairava of Varanasi
    Kāla-Bhairava of Varanasi is the **Kotwāl (police-chief)** of the holy city — every pilgrim to Kāśī Viśvanātha must first get permission from Bhairava. The deity rides a dog; devotees feed dogs as his prasadam. Tradition: Bhairava's anger is severe (one of Shiva's fiercest forms). The shrine sits 1 km from Viśvanātha. Offerings: black-silk thread (**kālāvā**), dog-feeding, ritual alcohol.
    — Tradition

🪔 Worship Procedures

Daily rites
• tradition-specific

🛕 Principal Temples

🎊 Festivals

  • Annual Kāla-Bhairava of Varanasi festival
    Seasonally · 1–10 days

📜 Primary Scriptural Sources

  • Hindu primary textsscriptural/oral