Introduction to 5 Most Famous Bhairav Temples
The deity Bhairavnath, the Kshetrapal or the guardian and protector is highly revered and worshipped by devotees and pilgrims visiting various shrines situated across the pious land of India. The 5 most famous Bhairav Temples include Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath.; Bhairav Temple, Near Uttarkashi.; Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri.; Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, Pauri Garhwal. And Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, Pauri Garhwal.
Bhairavnath or Bhairov or the Bhairon Baba is believed to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva in the form of the Bhairav incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Bhairavnath or Bhairov is worshipped in India and its neighboring countries such as Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
In Hindu religion, mostly the Gods and Goddesses are believed to have one particular animal as their divine vehicle. Likewise, the idols of Bhaironath are always shown along with the idol of a black dog representing the Lord’s divine vehicle.
The festival ‘Kal Bhairo Ashtami’ is celebrated on the 8th day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Margshirsh, the holy month in the Hindu calendar(November-December).
Bhairov or Bhairon baba is believed to have 8 manifestations, and hence, called Asht bhairava(Eight Bhairavs).
According to the mythological legend, Lord Shiva created Bhairav to punish Brahma for being dishonest. Bhairon decapitated one of Brahma’s five heads which led Bhairav to wander and roam in the three worlds to expiate the sin of decapitating one of the heads.
In this backdrop, it is worthwhile to discuss in brief the 5 most famous
Bhairav Temples include- Bhairavnath Temple and Kedarnath.; Bhairav Temple, Near Uttarkashi.; Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri.; Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, Pauri Garhwal.; And Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, Pauri Garhwal.
Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath
Bhairavnath Temple is a shrine situated nearby to the famous Kedarnath Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand which is nestled in the Himalayas at a height of approximately 3584 meters above sea level.
Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath.- Nearby, the the serene waters of the Mandakini River flow through the Devbhumi of Uttarakhand is located in the picturesque, serene, and cozy fold of mother nature.
Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath., coupled with the Kedarnath pilgrimage is the most sought after as the Kedarnath Dham is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and the Bhairavnath is considered to be the Kshetrapal or the Guardian of the Kedarnath region.
Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath.- A shrine in the open air without any roof overhead, features a Trident(Trishul), a dog representing the vehicle of deity Bhairavnath.
The open-air shrine symbolizes the vast and limitless expanse of the divine power of the Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath. The distance is hardly less than a kilometer between the Kedarnath Dham and the Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath.
It is believed that during the winter months when the doors of the Kedarnath Dham are closed, the responsibility to safeguard the shrine lies on the shoulders of the Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath.
Mustard oil is offered by devotees at the deity at Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath.
Opening and Closing timings of Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath.: 06:00 am to 08:00 pm.
Pilgrims need to do a little bit of trekking to reach the Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath. As far as accessibility is concerned, the shrine can be reached by road which is up to Gaurikund.
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is about 250 km from the Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath. Pilgrims can come from other parts of the country by train up to Rishikesh and from there can go by road.
Bhairav Temple, Near Uttarkashi.
Bhairav Temple, Near Uttarkashi.- The shrine is located on the banks of the Ganges River at an elevation of 1,588 meters from sea level. The region of Uttarkashi is a religious place having various holy shrines such as Vishwanath Temple and Annapurna Temple.
The religious importance of Uttarkashi can be gauged from the fact that Uttar means North and Kashi refers to Varanasi or Kashi, a religious place in the east of Uttar Pradesh. Thus, Uttarkashi refers to Kashi of the North.
The famous Bhairav Temple near Uttarkashi is dedicated to Lord Bhairav, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The idol of Lord Bhairav is accompanied by da og, the Lord’s Vahan or the vehicle.
Bhairav Temple, Near Uttarkashi Temple Timings: The Bhairav Temple near Uttarkashi remains open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri.
The Devbhumi of Uttarakhand is the abode of Gods and Goddesses. The holy shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri together constitute the Chhota Char Dham Yatra circuit of Uttarakhand.
The holy shrine of Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri is located at a distance of about 10 km from Gangotri. The shrine, Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri is in the midst of lush green dense forests, near the confluence of the two rivers viz. Jadh Ganga and Bhagirathi.
Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri is dedicated to Lord Bhairav, the guardian of Lord Shiva who is believed to be an incarnation or the manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Legend has it that Bhairav protects the region from calamity and wards off other threats. Pilgrims undertaking pilgrimage to Gangotri also prefer to visit Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri.
Devotees seek blessings of the Bhairon Baba by performing puja rituals. Pilgrims visiting Gangotri Dham ensure that they must also seek blessings at Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri.
Pilgrims can reach the Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri by road. The best seasons to visit the Bhairav shrine are the summer and autumn( April to June & September to November).
Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri Temple Timings: On the lines of Gangotri Dham, the Bhairav temple remains open from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, Pauri Garhwal
Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, Pauri Garhwal is located in the State of Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Bhairava, a manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, Pauri Garhwal is accessible by road transport. The distance between Molthi and Paidul is about 3 km.
The deity Bhairava at the Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, Pauri Garhwal is considered the protector or the Kshetrapal (Guardian) of the region of Garhwal.
At the Bhairava shrine daily puja archana is offered with Hindu rituals by chanting hymns and mantras. Devotees offer mustard oil at the Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, and Pauri Garhwal.
The pilgrims and devotees visit Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, and Pauri Garhwal and seek the blessings of Lord Bhairava by performing Hindu rituals and offering prayers.
During the Bhairav Ashtami, the 8th day of Krishna Paksha of the Hindu calendar month of Margashirsha, the temple is decorated with flowers and the festival is celebrated by offering puja archana.
Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, Pauri Garhwal remains open from 06:00 am to 08:00 pm.
Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, Pauri Garhwal.
Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, and Pauri Garhwal are dedicated to the Bhairav God who is believed to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva. The State of Uttarakhand is commonly called Dev Bhumi.
The State of Uttarakhand is the abode of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The famous pilgrimage Kedarnath Dham is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Badrinath Dham or the Badri Vishal is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand is situated at an altitude of 2,400 meters (7,874 ft.) above the sea level in the Lansdowne taluk in Pauri Garhwal District. The temple is dedicated to Bhairava or Bhairon of Kaal Bhairav, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Snowclad peaks of the Himalayas viz. Chaukhamba, Trishul, and Nanda Devi are visible from the temple of Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, Pauri Garhwal.
The best time to visit Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, and Pauri Garhwal is from the month of September to June. The nearest Railway station is Kotdwar Railway Station, Uttarakhand, and the nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Devotees offer Prasad prepared from Finger Millet flour(Manduwe ka atta) at the Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, and Pauri Garhwal.
Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand Temple Timings: The Bhairav Garhi, Gumkhal, Pauri Garhwal Temple remains open from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Conclusion:
Bhairav or Bhairon Baba or Kaal Bhairav is considered to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva. Bhirav stands guard to the abode of Lord Shiva. Bhairav is accompanied by his black dog who is considered to be his vehicle/carriage or vahan.
In all the Bhairavanath’s temples, be it Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath.; Bhairav Temple, Near Uttarkashi.; Bhairav Temple, Bhairon Ghati, before Gangotri.; Nadbudh Bhairava Temple, Molthi, Patti Paidulsyun, Pauri Garhwal. Or the Bhairon Garhi, Gumkhal, and Pauri Garhwal., the presiding deity is the Bhairavnath or Bhairav who is adoringly called by devotees and pilgrims as Bhairon Baba.
Bhairav is worshipped with devotion and people get immersed in spirituality at the altar. Devotees offer mustard oil and other offerings to the deity.
5 Most Famous Bhairav Temples are spread across India and a large number of devotees visit the shrines to offer their prayers and seek blessings of the deity Bhairav.
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FAQs About 5 Most Famous Bhairav Temples
Q.1. What is the story of Bhairav God?
Ans.1. Bhairav God is considered to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva. As per the legend, Bhairav was created by Lord Shiva to punish Lord Brahma for his dishonesty. Bhaira decapitated one of the 5 heads of the Lord Brahma which led Bhairav to wander and roam in the three worlds to expiate the sins.
Q.2. What is offered to Kaal Bhairav?
Ans.2. Mustard oil is offered to Kaal Bhairav along with Dhoop, deep flowers, and sweets.
Q.3. Why the Bhairav is considered the Guardian?
Ans.3. It is believed that God Bhairav is the protector and guards against all difficulties and problems.
Q.4. What is Chhota Char Dham Yatra?
Ans. Chhota Char Dham Yatra circuit constitutes the pilgrimages of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri in the State of Uttarakhand.
