Varanasi, also called Kashi or Benaras, is the oldest city in the world, a place where spirituality merges with everyday life. In the heart of this ancient city stands the Kaal Bhairav Temple, a powerful manifestation of God Shiva who protects everyone visiting Kashi. Apart from the famous Kaal Bhairav Temple, additional 8 Bhairav temples in Varanasi guard the ancient city of Kashi from all 8 directions since ancient times. According to the Kashi Khand of the Skanda Purana, these Ashta Bhairav (8 Bhairavs) were positioned around Varanasi to defend it from all types of negative forces.
In this blog post, I take you on a spiritual tour of the 8 Bhairav Temples in Varanasi and also explain the top 3 most important Bhairav Temples in Varanasi.
The 8 Ashta Bhairav Temples in Varanasi
Ruru Bhairav – the Bhairav in Dog’s form
Ruru Bhairav’s idol is located inside the Rameshwar temple on Hanuman ghat, next to the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara. This form of Bhairav is associated with wisdom, spiritual protection, and overcoming all fears.
Chanda Bhairav – the fierce Bhairav
Chanda Bhairav resides within the premises of the Durga Temple, next to the Durga Kunda, and near Assi Ghat in Varanasi. The Chanda Bhairav guards Kashi Kshetra from the south direction. This fierce manifestation of Bhairav is believed to help devotees overcome internal struggles, mental blocks, and negative energies on their spiritual path.
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Asitang Bhairav – the one with black legs
The Asitang Bhairav Murti (idol) is located inside the Maha Mrityunjay temple’s premises, next to the Dhavantari Kunda (stepwell). Asitang Bhairav is worshipped for removing hardships and for spiritual stability. It is believed that this manifestation of Bhairav blesses devotees with resilience and inner calm.
Laat / Kapal Bhairav – the skull bearer Bhairav
This is the most important temple among all the 8 Bhairav temples in Varanasi. As per the story in Skanda Purana, Bhairav cuts the 5th head of God Brahma, and hence he carries the curse of Brahma-hatya, with the skull stuck to his finger nail. He travels through several galaxies and universes in this way, but the curse of Brahma-hatya ends only when he reaches this spot in Kashi. The skull of Brahma drops from his fingernail, and he is freed from all of his sins. Now, there is a Laat Kunda (stepwell) at the place. where Brahma’s skull falls from Bhairav’s fingernail. After the curse ends, Bhairav does a happy estatic dance at this spot, where Laat Bhairav Temple is located today.
Krodhan Bhairav – the wrathful Bhairav
Krodhan Bhairav (also known as Aadi Bhairav) is found inside the Kamakhya Devi temple in Varanasi. The Krodhan Bhairav murti (idol) is located inside the grabhagriha (main inner sanctum) along with the Kamakhya Devi’s murti (idol). This fierce form of Bhairav is worshipped for courage, protection, and overcoming negative influences in life’s path.
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Unmatta Bhairav – the wild Bhairav
The Unmatta Bhairav Murti (idol) is located in Deora village on the Panchkroshi Yatra Marga. It is about 15 km from Varanasi city. This manifestation of Unmatta Bhairav grants liberation from worldly fears, internal limitations, mental blockages and repetitive thought patterns that keep you trapped in life’s cycles.
Samhar Bhairav – the destructive Bhairav
The Samhar Bhairav temple is located in narrow lanes near the Trilochaneshwar Mahadev temple. This is a small shrine with 3 idols: Batuk Bhairav, Hanuman ji and Samhar Bhairav. The name ‘Samhar’ means ‘destroyer’. He destroys negativity, evil, karmic burdens and protects his devotees. He is the ultimate destroyer of ignorance and grants enlightenment to his devotees.
Bhoot / Bheeshan Bhairav – the horrific Bhairav
The Bhoot Bhairav, also known as Bheeshan Bhairav, is located near the Jyeshtheshwar Mahadev temple in Varanasi. The morning aarti at this temple, at around 10 am, is a treat to watch. Many small Shiva temples, such as Khandukeshwar, Nivasheshwar, Vyagreshwar and Pavaneshwar, surround this temple.
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The 3 important Bhairav temples in Varanasi
Beyond the above 8 Bhairav temples in Varanasi, below are the additional 3 Bhairav temples that are a must-visit for spiritual seekers and pilgrims in Varanasi.
Kaal Bhairav Temple
After Bhairav arrived in Kashi, he was freed from the curse of Brahma-hatya. Then, God Shiva instructed him to stay here and protect the Kashi Kshetra (Varanasi city). It is believed that no pilgrim can begin their spiritual journey in Kashi without first seeking the blessings of Kaal Bhairav, the primary guardian of Kashi Kshetra (Varanasi city). When you visit the Kaal Bhairav temple in Varanasi, your spiritual energies get aligned with the energies of this region, and then your Kashi Yatra becomes successful.
Dandapani Temple
The name ‘Dandapani’ means ‘the one who wields a stick.’ A young boy named Harikesh came to Kashi and started worshipping God Shiva. Pleased by his devotion, God Shiva named him Dandapani – the chief protector of Kashi. So now, Dandapani punishes and expels the wicked people from Varanasi. This Dandapani temple is located in the narrow lanes behind the Kaal Bhairav temple. There is a Kaal Koop (well) and Kaleshwar Shivalinga also inside this temple. Dandapani Bhairav is deeply revered by devotees as a powerful protector who steadies your spiritual path and removes fear from your heart.
Batuk Bhairav Temple
Inside the Btuk Bhairav Temple, God Bhairav is worshipped in the form of a small child. According to mythology, God Bhairav once took the form of a small child to protect Varanaci from the demon Andhakasur. It is believed that this form of Bhairava is easiest to please, and he grants the wishes of his devotees quickly. The Batuk Bhairav Temple is one of the most important Bhairav temples in Varanasi.
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The maze of protectors
The Ashta Bhairav temples in Varanasi form a sacred maze that protects the Kashi Kshetra (Varanasi city) and everyone visiting Kashi since ancient times. Each form of Bhairav grants a unique spiritual strength, from granting courage and liberation to the removal of fear and negativity. When you walk through these Bhairav temples in Varanasi, you will be connected with the eternal presence of God Bhairav and God Shiva in Kashi Kshetra (Varanasi city).
