Kaal Bhairav

About Kaal Bhairav

Kaal Bhairav is the fierce form Shiva took to cut off Brahma's fifth head when Brahma grew arrogant. The severed skull stuck to his palm until he reached Kashi, which is why he is called Dandapani — 'rod-bearer' — and rules Varanasi as its kotwal (city magistrate). Pilgrims visit him before Vishwanath. Adi Shankaracharya's Kalabhairavashtakam describes him dark-skinned, wrapped in a live snake, wearing a skull garland and golden waist-bells, riding a dog. At Ujjain's temple he famously accepts liquor poured to his lips. Bhairav Ashtami in Kartik is his night.