Ashta Bhairava Yatra in Kashi Varanasi

Kashi has many yatras like Nava Durga Yatra, Nava Gauri Yatra which can be talked about within the Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana. This time after I was staying for an extended period in Kashi, I joined the Kashi Pradakshina darshan yatra samiti for couple of Yatras. First of those was the Ashta Bhairava Yatra that goes across the 8 Bhairava temples.

It’s a pleasure to stroll with the Kashi Vasis or the residents of Varanasi and a few pilgrims to go on these Yatras. We had been about 50 of us strolling the size and breadth of sacred Varanasi.

Legend of Ashta Bhiarava in Kashi

Legend goes that Devi took the type of Durga to kill Durgasura. After killing the asura, she created 9 shaktis often called Nava Durgas that occupies completely different instructions within the metropolis of Kashi to guard it. On the identical time, she created 8 Bhairavas who would additionally unfold themselves in 8 areas within the sacred metropolis of Kashi to guard its folks and pilgrims.

These eight or Ashta Bhairava temples at the moment are situated throughout the town in several temples. By the way the well-known temples of Bhairava like Kaal Bhairav, Laat Bhairava and Batuk Bhairava will not be part of these 8 or Ashta Bhairava temples of Varanasi. Having mentioned that, you’ll go very near each these well-known Bharava temples throughout this yatra. Deities in Varanasi are by no means removed from one another.

Why go on Ashta Bharaiva Yatra?

Bhairavas, a manifestation of Shiva himself, are protecting deities and so they offer you safety from all types of fears. An individual with out worry and step forward and obtain something.

To provide you Abhaya, or freedom from worry, in addition they take away your gathered Papas.

We normally discover a Bhairava related to each distinguished Devi temple.

Chances are you’ll carry Akshat, flowers, perfume, and sweets to supply at these temples.

Ashta Bhairava Yatra of Kashi

I’ll narrate this yatra within the order by which we did it.

1. Chand Bhairava (चंड भैरव) – Durga Mandir Durga Kund

Durga Mandir situated subsequent to Durga Kund within the locality identified by the identical identify. Inbuilt shiny crimson shade this can be a very well-known temple additionally part of the Nava Durga Yatra. Devi right here represents Kushmanda type of Durga. The temple additionally has a small Kali temple on the aspect.

It’s subsequent to the Murti of Ma Kali that you just see a small Murti of Chand Bhairava in black stone. You will note two Bhairava Murtis right here, wrapped in black fabric. The smaller one is the Chand Bhairava that we’re visiting as a part of this yatra.

We began with a Sankalpa to do that yatra, in search of the blessings to finish it.

This temple is straightforward to succeed in, as it’s a metropolis landmark.

2. Ruru Bhairav (रुरु भैरव) – Karnataka Ghat near Harishchandra Ghat

From Durga temple, we walked in direction of Hanuman ghat, passing by the well-known Baba Kinaram Ashram. Our first cease was Narsingeshwar Temple, which additionally homes the Anand Bhairava and Rur Bhairava Murtis. You’ll be able to simply find it on Google Maps.

Then, we proceeded in direction of Karnataka Ghat. That is small temple in blue is situated proper exterior the Karnataka ghat. Harishchandra ghat is the extra well-known ghat near it.

I might see a Murti in black stone carrying the contemporary marigold flowers, driving a canine. There have been smaller Murtis behind it but it surely was tough to see them.

We folded our palms, mentioned our prayers to each Ruru Bhairav and Ma Ganga earlier than posing for a gaggle photograph right here.

3. Krodhan Bhairav (क्रोधन भैरव) – Kamakhya Temple, Kamachha

It was a protracted stroll from ghats of Ganga to Kamakhya temple within the Kamaccha space of Varanasi. We handed by a wing of BHU which is exterior the principle campus. It was going into one other aspect of Varanasi.

Kamakhya temple is a lovely temple devoted to Kamakhya Ma. It additionally has an enormous Sri Chakra in a temple of its personal. You can’t actually see the Sri Chakra as it’s lined with fabric however you possibly can nonetheless really feel its contours. One other small temple belongs to Pratyingra Devi.

Krodhan Bhairava is situated on the aspect wall of Kamakhya temple. It’s worthwhile to go to at least one aspect and peep inside to get a glimpse of it. Additionally it is often called Adi Bhairav. You’ll be able to see Grishneshwar Mahadev, which is among the 12 Jyotirlingas in the identical advanced.

Solely those that consciously come to go to this temple would actually get to see him. Most informal guests will are likely to miss it.

4. Unmat Bhairava (उन्मत भैरव) – Batuk Bhairav Temple, Kamachha

Batuk Bhairava actually means a child Bhairava and this temple is kind of widespread. As a part of HRIDAY mission, a hall resulting in this temple has been constructed with sculptures on the partitions and a board telling you concerning the temple. That is the one place the place I noticed quite a lot of beggars in Kashi.

The small temple could be very fantastically embellished. You see the face of Batuk Bhairav and the 2 canine on his both aspect. You see one other small Murti, that is Unmat Bhairava that we go to on this Ashta Bhairava Yatra. There’s a beautiful Panchmukhi Hanuman Murti on this temple.

One other Unmat Bhairav temple is in Deora village on the Panch Kroshi Marg which is about 15-16 kms away. We didn’t go to this temple, as a substitute the one at Batuk Bhairav temple.

5. Bheeshan Bairav (भीषण भैरव) – Kashipura

I missed visiting this temple as I used to be misplaced on the roads and misplaced contact with the group. You’ll be able to simply find this on Google maps near Maheshwari Dharmashala, not too removed from Maidagin chauraha. Additionally it is near Jyeshteshwar temple that I had visited throughout my earlier explorations of Kashi.

6. Asitang Bhairava (असितांग भैरव) – MahaMritunjaya Temple

Mahamriunjaya temple could be very well-known near Maidagin chauraha. It’s a temple advanced that incorporates many Shiva temples. The Dhanavantari Koop right here is equally well-known for its medicinal properties. You’ll be able to see folks coming and consuming its water to remain wholesome.

On the fitting aspect of this nicely, there’s a small temple devoted to Asitang Bhairav.

Right here Sh. Umashankar Gupta ji requested us to take a seat in a courtyard. We exchanged notes and famous our names within the Yatra register. Those that had introduced prasad, distributed the identical.

You’ll be able to see Mahakalesh and Mahamritunjaya temple on this temple advanced which is huge when you step inside. Technically this falls in Kriti Vasa kshetra which is so sacred that any prayer or sadhana that you just do right here provides you multifold advantages.

7. Kapal Bhairav (कपाल भैरव) aka Laat Bhiarav (लाट भैरव) – Alaipur

I used to be drained by the point we reached Ashtang Bhairav and it was getting too late for me to return to BHU. So, I left the yatra after Asitang Bhairav. Kapal Bhairav is most popularly often called Laat Bhairav. It falls on the North Jap outskirts of Kashi.

That is additionally the place the place Kapal Mochan Tirtha or tank is situated. It’s believed that Shiva removed Brahm’s head caught on his hand right here on this pond.

8. Samhar Bhairava (संहार भैरव) – Gai Ghat, Patan Darwaza

You’ll be able to strategy this temple both from Machhodari or from the steps of Gai ghat.  Because the identify suggests, this Bhairav baba annihilates all of your gathered papas. On this Yatra, he’s visited in direction of the top, you just be sure you go away the yatra lighter.

9. Kaal Bhairava (काल भैरव)

Kaal Bhairav is technically not part of this yatra as he is part of Rudra Yatra. Nevertheless, since he’s the Kotwal of Kashi, the yatra is completed by praying to him. His blessings are sought earlier than and after doing something in Kashi, so why not go to him on this yatra too.

How one can do Ashta Bhairava Yatra?

You’ll be able to at all times do that Yatra with Kashi Pradakshina Samiti as and once they do it of their annual calendar. They take you to genuine temples and present you the tiniest Murtis which can be related for the yatra. It’s a pure pleasure to stroll with the folks of Kashi, singing the Shiva Stutis and listening to the anecdotes once you sit at some temple for register writing. Yatra is fundamental and easy.

The draw back is that it includes lengthy walks by means of crowded streets and slim gullies. Typically you could discover it tough to maintain tempo with individuals who know the town like again of their palms. Additionally they cease at temples for the minimal time, so simply get a glimpse and never get sufficient time to really feel the temple. It’s most likely not potential with giant teams.

The temples of Ashta Bhairava can simply be situated on Google Maps. You are able to do it your self, but it surely includes lengthy walks by means of the town.

Jai Ashta Bhairav Baba.