Kaal Bhairav Temple

Kaal Bhairav Temple is counted among one of the most religious temples of Madhya Pradesh. It is located in the town of Adegaon and is a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva linked with annihilation. Temples that are related to Bhairava are present within or near most Jyotirlinga temples. Out of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, there are 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra State (Get details here). There are also the sacred twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva which can be found all across India. Additionally, Lord Shiva is counted among the important deity of the Hindu religion and his name is referred in many forms in the ancient Hindu mythology too.

Kaal Bhairav Temple History

There is a legend surrounding the evolution of Bhairava. People say that this can be traced back to the conversation between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu in ‘Shiv Maha-Puran’. When Vishnu asked Brahma about who can be the supreme creator of the Universe, the later considered himself and said that everybody should worship him.

This angered Lord Shiva who then took the form of Bhairava to punish Brahma. It is said that Lord Shiva beheaded one of the five heads of Lord Brahma and since then the later has four heads. Kala Bhairava in its form is seen carrying the severed head of Lord Brahma.

Lord Shiva later was guilty of the crime of killing a Brahmin and hence carried the disembodied skull for twelve years. He roamed as Bhikshatana, a mendicant until he was released from the sin.

In the form of the frightful Bhairava, Lord Shiva is said to be protecting each of the Shakti peeths in the sub-continent. Each of the Shakti peeth temples is accompanied by a deity which is dedicated to Bhairava.

It has been said that the nature of Bhairava is Tamasi which refers to the fact that he can take you from Tamas to Moksha. Pilgrims believe that he has the power to remove all of the human sufferings which is a serious pain that an individual feels in their body and mind. Apart from that, he also eradicates all difficult problems, anxieties, and greed.

With regard to the mythological concept, Kala Bhairava is said to live on the crematory grounds as he does not want to be associated with Maya, also known as the illusionary world. The Lord’s Sadhana yields fast results and he can be pleased with very little offerings. There are many poor and people who are suffering from various problems that come to seek solace at this wonderful temple.

Even people of all caste and creed believe that they will achieve Moksha fast when they worship Bhairava. It is always advisable to first ask your Guru for permission before you start any Sadhana.

Significance of Kaal Bhairav Temple

The idol of Shri Kaal Bhairav Nath Swami Temple at Adegaon in Madhya Pradesh is often found with a frowning face coupled with angry eyes, sharp tiger’s teeth, and flaming hair. He is naked except for a garland made of skulls and a coiled snake around his neck.

The deity has four hands in which he carries a noose, trident, drum, and skull. Bhairava is often accompanied by a dog and is said to be originated in the Hindu legends. It is a popular and sacred place of worship for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains alike.

Kaal Bhairav Temple is mostly visited by tourists from India and Nepal. In addition, this also marks as an important deity of the Newars. All the traditional settlements of Newars have at least a temple of Bhairava.

Traditionally, the temples of Kala Bhairav is the considered to be the supreme God in the rural villages of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, where he is referred to as ‘Bhaivara/Annadhani’ Vairavar.

In Karnataka, the Lord Bhairava temple stands as the supreme God for the community and is commonly referred to as ‘Gowdas.’ In the Gangadikara Gowda caste especially, he is considered the caretaker and punisher.

Bhairava himself has eight manifestations and is also called as the Ashta Bhairava. Devotees believe that a Sadhak should feed dogs Halwa Puri on every Saturday morning or evening to seek respite from all problems.

Kaal Bhairav Temple Timings

• Kaal Bhairav Temple remains open from 6 am to 8 pm.
• The pilgrims, however, will have to note that the shrine remains closed from 12 noon to 2 pm.
• The temple timings may differ during important festivals and occasions.

Kaal Bhairav Temple Food Timings

• Prasad or food is offered to the pilgrims after 2 pm.
• It mainly consists of sweets and dry fruits.
• Devotees can also offer seasonal fruits to the deity during their visit.

Festivals celebrated at Kaal Bhairav Temple

• Bhairava Ashtamiis one of the important festivals that are observed in the temple premises. It is celebrated by pilgrims commemorating the day Kal Bhairav appeared on earth. People consider this occasion to be highly auspicious and it is celebrated on Krishna Paksha Ashtami of the Margashirsha month of Hindu calendar. It is a day of special prayers and rituals.
• Shiva Ratri is also considered to be pious and is observed with great pomp in this temple. Thousands of devotees gather from all parts of the surrounding town and offer prayers and seek blessings from the Almighty. They also offer Prasad and the temple is well decorated with oil lamps on this occasion.

Poojas and Rituals at Kaal Bhairav Temple

• A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including a religious community.  In this Kaal Bhairav Temple, the deity is offered arati during the morning and the evening.
• Lord Bhairava is worshiped by offering or pouring water, milk, honey, curd, ghee, vibhuthi or sacred ash and sandalwood paste. This is called Abhishekam.
• One can offer bilwa leaves along with flowers like lotus, jasmine, and sankhapushpi.
• Food offerings need to be presented before the deity. An incense stick and a diya lit with ghee should also be burnt.
• It is important to wear neat and clean clothes when you worship the Lord.

How to Reach Kaal Bhairav Temple

• By Air- Adegaon‘s nearest airport is Chhindwara Airport situated at 53.2 KM distance. In addition, the Jabalpur Airport is only 117.2 km from Adegaon. The Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is located at 175.3 km from this place.
• By Train- The nearest railway station to Adegaon is Karaboh which is located in and around 36.8 km from Mamakudi. Some other railway stations include Seoni railway station and Bhoma railway station which is located at a distance of 41.1 km and 44.5 km respectively from Mamakudi.
• By Road- Adegaon is located around 63.7 km away from its district head quarter Narsinghpur. The other nearest district head quarters is Seoni which is situated at a 35.7 km distance from Adegaon. The nearest town to reach this place is Amarwara which is located at a distance of 17.9 km.

Hotels in Madhya Pradesh: Where to stay

There might not be quite a lot of hotels in Adegaon but one can look for accommodation in and around this place. Madhya Pradesh offers an array of living options for its tourists. From dormitories to villas, you can look for your choice as per to your needs. The prices, however, will depend on the type of accommodation you choose. To enjoy all the modern amenities and fine luxury, there are five-star hotels that provide free pickup and drops apart from their complimentary breakfast option. The budget hotels, on the other hand, offer decent living with a plethora of fooding options.

The hotel staff also arranges for local sightseeing tours as per to the client’s request. And they also have internet connection for the visitors. Some hotels also have private balconies for clients to enjoy the beauty of nature. And for party lovers, one can opt for private lounges and hotel discs that remain open for quite late in the night. However, most of these hotels are available online and it is advised to book your hotel in advance to avoid any last-minute delay.

Where to eat

Madhya Pradesh is a home to food lovers visiting India. From Continental to Chinese to Indian, a traveler is sure to splurge on the variety of food that’s on offer here. For people who would like to taste the unique flavor of the complete Indian food, a Thali is recommended. It is a meal that consists of rice, dal, pickle, papad, vegetable curries, paneer and a sweet. This is available at a competitive price range and is available across various eating joints. For people looking for light food, the breakfast options are sure to tempt your taste buds. Poha, jalebi, samosa are some of the popular food that is loved by both natives and tourists here.

For people looking for fine dining options, there are many international cuisines that can be enjoyed at a moderate price too. From Thai to Mexican and Italian, the rich herbs and spices used in the preparation of the food pave the way for a delightful taste. A client can also customize one’s food habits and inform the chef in advance. Some of the eating joints also arrange for music and local bands for people to enjoy while relishing the unique taste of the food that is served here.

Nearby Temples

• Upparpeth Maruti Temple- This temple is located only at a distance of 4 km from Adegaon. The travel duration from Upparpeth Maruti Temple to Adegaon Desh is around 1 Hoursif your travel speed is 50 KM per Hour. It is located nearly west to Adegaon and traveling from Upparpeth Maruti Temple to Adegaon Desh is connected by more than one route.
• Sri Laxmi Temple- There is also another famous Laxmi temple that is visited by pilgrims who visit Adegaon. Goddess Laxmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity and is highly popular among devotees in India.
• Sri Dev Brahmachari Ram Mandir- This is another popular shrine that devotees visit while paying a visit to Shri Kala Bhairava Nath Swami Temple at Adegaon. One can offer Prasad and seek blessings from the Lord.
• Sri Dev Murlidhar temple– One can find solace and peace when paid a visit to this temple. Bhajans are organized during the evening inside the temple premises which is participated by devotees in large numbers.