Kashi is almost synonymous with Kaal Bhairava. Even in the mythological lore, Kashi is the place where Kaal Bhairava settled after doing prayaschit for cutting Brahma’s fifth head. The very popular Kaal Bhairava ashtakam refers to Him as “Kashi ka puradhinath” i.e. the supreme lord of Kashi. And my visit to Kashi’s Kaal Bhairava temple was fairly overwhelming, powerful experience. Since then, I have discovered many other temples of Kaal Bhairava, and often they have such a distinct feel and ambiance, that I have decided to delve into the “other” Kaal Bhairava temples outside of Kashi! In this article, I am listing out a few of these which I have found to be very intriguing so far.

14 Powerful Kaal Bhairava Temples Outside Kashi!

Bhaktapur Bhairava Temple:

This has been a very important Bhairava temple for me to visit. I had many deep personal realizations here. As per a popular local story, the Kashi Kaal Bhairava visited Bhaktapur for their annual Bisket Jatra festival. The local tantrics became aware of Him and as he tried to escape, they captured him. Thus, this is also a Kashi Kaal Bhairava temple spot. Bhaktapur is a powerful temple land, and this Bhairava temple in the Taimudi square is a must visit. More on this later.

I visited Bhaktapur on my 10-day Nepal trip, itinerary is provided here, do check: https://maproute.in/my-10-day-nepal-itinerary-an-intense-yatra-of-katmandu-valley/

Ujjain Kaal Bhairava:

I visited this temple during the kumbh mela. However, the line was too long, so I took darshan from outside only. This is a powerful Kaal Bhairava temple spot as well. There is a video on youtube interviewing the pujari at this Ujjain temple. He shares some fascinating details, do watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAtre11o3Lo

Kadri Temple, Mangalore:

What caught my eye was “kaal bhairava shrine along with the nine naths”! The Nine Naths?! That is super intriguing. Sadhguru has spoken about this temple in his recent Sadhguru Exclusive videos on Naga Worship. He mentions this Kadri temple in Mangalore is a good place to come across yogis deep into Naga sadhana.

Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati:

On our way to Gangotri temple on the Himalayan Char Dham yatra, we come to a deep gorge called Bhairon Ghati. It takes its name from the ancient Bhairava temple nearby. Now there is a motorable bridge on this gorge, so devotees may not halt at the Bhairava temple. However, earlier it was customary that devotees would alight here and start their padyatra (walking pilgrimage) through the mountain forest to Gangotri after taking darshan of Bhairava.

For many years there was only a walking bridge across the gorge. It was only much later that the motorable bridge was built across this deep gorge. Building of this bridge was a feat of architecture at that time. This Gorge is a fascinating region – one of the Silk Routes into Tibet goes into the mountains from here. In fact, the movie 7 Years in Tibet showed two German soldiers escaping from a world war camp in the Himalayas.. And they run off to Tibet. It is through this silk route by the side of this deep gorge at Bhairon Ghati. So, a lot of interesting history in this region. This Bhairava temple has been a witness to all these happenings.

Kedarnath Bhairava:

Prem KV, maker of the Sadhguru Shribrahma documentary, put up an intriguing video on the Bhairava above the popular Kedarnath temple. The policemen of Kashi has close ties with this Bhairava. Why Policemen of Kashi? Well, Kaal Bhairava is the kotwal of Kashi.. And in human society the kotwals of Kashi are the police folk. Thus, an intriguing socio-religious bond has been forged between the two. Fascinating, isn’t it! Know more about this Bhairava spot above Kedarnath in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWyoU23aXuM

Nakoda Kaal Bhairava Temple,

The only JAIN Kaal Bhairava temple! This is a sattvic temple where devotees can offer alcohol only in the form of perfume. On certain days, a different idol of Kaal Bhairava is brought out for oil abhishekam. This is a lovely, serene temple with the intricate carvings, white structure and cleanliness that Jain temples embody. The deity here is the Kaal Bhairava.

Rajasthan often sees “Bheruji” or Bhairava established as two Bhairava forms – Goraji and Kalaji or Shwet Bhairava and Kaal Bhairava. Thus, in this form of a folk deity Kaal Bhairava is actually very common across Rajasthan. I have spoken in depth on this form of Bhariava in this video.

In Nakoda also, the main Jain temple has the Nakoda Bhairava which is the Nakoda Shweta Bhairava. This temple is about 300 metres from the Kaal Bhairava temple.

These are only a few powerful temples I have added here. There are many small shrines, less known temples of this fierce Shiva form. For example, in Girnar I visited a Aghori Jhuggi which had Kaal Bhairava also there – read more about it here: https://maproute.in/the-aghori-jhuggi-on-girnar-mountain/

Fellow sadhaka @cpraveen_2024 on Twitter, added a few more names to this list, sharing them here:

Adhichunagiri Kala Bhairava, Karnataka

This temple is on the outskirts of Bangalore. Kaal Bhairava is a powerful deity within the Adichunagiri math. For those looking for sadhana practices of Kaal Bhairava, I do think, this might be a good place to explore.

Sholeeshwaram Bhairava, Kanchipuram, Karnataka

In this temple, the Ashta Bhairavas are in Lingam form, which is less common. While no specific Kaal Bhairava murti or shrine – but is assumed to be there along with Ashta Bhairava. Samhara Bhairava of Ashta Bhairava is the main Bhairava form here.

Sirkazhi Sattainathar, Tamil Nadu

There is an Ashta Bhairava in Linga form here also. While no specific Kaal Bhairava murti or shrine – but is assumed to be there along with Ashta Bhairava.

Thirukurungudi Bhairava, Tamil Nadu

This is a Vishnu temple, part of the 108 Divya Desam spaces. Here there is also Shiva and Bhairava. Praveen says that the lamp in the garbhagriha sways by His breath.

Kandeeswarar Temple, Kandiyur, Tamil Nadu

This temple is named “Brahmasirakandeeswarar temple” basically it is closely associated with Shiva’s severing of Brahma’s 5th head and thus, Kaal Bhairava. But the stories are different and stranger. There are many different deities in this temple… could be an interesting exploration.

Ettumanoor, Shiva Temple, Kerala

This temple seems to have a truly ugra murti – kaal bhairava or also referred to as Aghora murty by some sources.

Another 2 interesting suggestions from @teatattler on Twitter,

Ramnath Temple, Ponda, Goa

This is a Shiva temple, with the deity established by Rama at Rameshwaram. It has shrines for Betal and Kaal Bhairava. Betal is also a Bhairava form popular in Nepal and Goa.

Sree Venkataramana Temple, Mulki, Karnataka

The main deity here is the Ugra Narasimha… and yet, every week on Wednesdays, I am told, a oracle calls in Kaal Bhairava and answers questions posed by devotees who have gathered there. This is a very strange occurrence. Often we are led to believe that Ugra forms often don’t vibe well together, however… here obviously something else is going on. Very interesting.

Which other Kaal Bhairava spots would you want to add to this list?