Varanasi, 21 November (Hindustan Reporter). In the religious city of Kashi, preparations are going on in full swing in all the Bhairav temples including Kotwal Baba Kalbhairav of Kashi for Bhairavashtami. Bhairavashtami will be celebrated on Saturday, November 23 under the supervision of the temple priests. On the occasion of birth anniversary in Kotwal Kalbhairav Temple of Kashi, the idol of Baba will be anointed with 101 liters of milk and Maha Aarti will be performed with 1.25 lakh lights. Liquor, various dishes along with fruits etc. will be offered as naivedya in front of Baba’s idol. On the birth anniversary of Baba, young devotees cut a cake made of fruits and Panchmeva.
Naveen Giri associated with the temple told that Shri Kaal Bhairav was born on the afternoon of Vyappini Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Margashirsha (Agahan) month. According to Sanatani Panchag, Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Margashirsha month is starting from 9:20 pm on Friday, 22 November. Which will last till 10:23 pm on 23rd November. In such a situation, Bhairavashtami will be celebrated on 23rd November as per Udaya Tithi in Sanatani tradition. Shri Kaal Bhairav is also called Kotwal of Kashi. It is believed that every person living in Kashi has to take permission from Baba Kaal Bhairav to live here. It is believed that Lord Shiva had appointed him here.
There is a story in this context that the severed head of Brahmaji got stuck in the hand of Kaal Bhairav. In such a situation, to free Kaal Bhairav from killing Brahma, Mahadev asked him to atone. Mahadev told that when Kalbhairav travels in Trilok and the severed head of Brahma ji will fall from his hand. From that very moment the sin of killing a Brahma will be removed from him. During the tour, when Kalbhairav reached Kashi, Brahma ji’s head fell from his hand. After this, Kaal Bhairav established himself in Kashi and was called Kotwal of the city.
On Bhairavashtami itself, under the auspices of Lat Bhairav Kashi Yatra Mandal, devotees also take out Ashta Bhairav Pradakshina Yatra after performing the ritual worship at Kapal Bhairav and Lat Bhairav temples situated in Kajjakpura. During the birth anniversary, Anadikaleshwar Baba Shri Lat Bhairav is decorated with grand Annakoot. All the eight Bhairavs included in the Ashta Bhairav Pradakshina Yatra go to the temples and offer darshan and worship. These include Baba Kalbhairav at Kalbhairav, Baba Aas Bhairav at Neechibagh, Baba Batuk Bhairav at Kamchha, Baba Adi Bhairav at Kamchha, Baba Bhoot Bhairav at Nakhas, Baba Lat Bhairav at Kazjakpura, Baba Sanhar Bhairav at Meerghat and Baba Kshatrapal at Malviya Market. Bhairav Dandpani Bhairav’s darshan is worshipped.