Monday, November 25, 2013

Maha Kaala Bhairavashtami

Kala Bhairavar fully decorated
Today is Kalashtami or Maha Kalabhairavashtami. The eigth day after the Full Moon or the Eighth day of the Waning Moon in the month of Margsirsha. As it comes exactly in the middle of the fifteen days from the first day after the full moon to New Moon day, this Ashtami is also called Madhyashtami or the Centered Eighth Day. This day is sacred to a Hindu deity called Kaala Bhairavar. This deity is a personification of Shiva.


There are many stories about Bhairavar. Some say he came from the head of Brahma. But the more plausible tale is related thus in the Shiva Mahapuranam. Those were the ages when Brahma sported a fifth head atop his four. Steeped in arrogance Brahma remarked to Vishnu that he was the supreme  being superior even to Shiva. Angered by this Shiva manifested Kala Bhairava from between his eyebrows. Kaala Bhairava immediately proceeded to behead Brahma and removed the very head that had blasphemed Shiva. But in this process he became a sinner guilty of beheading a Brahmin. Brahma’s skull stuck to his hand. He had to wander everywhere before he got his reprieve.


Kala Bhairava is a resident of Kasipuri. He is also Kshetrapalaka and the keys of every Shiva temple are deposited in the Bhairava shrine at the close of the Rituals. 

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