Bhairav (Through the eyes of Uttarakhand) Kumaon "(Part-2)

"Bhairav and Kumaon"

 As we look ahead, it's important to recognize the deep cultural and historical significance of the ancient city of Almora in the Kumaon region. In the Kashya Parvat mountain, Almora holds great spiritual importance and is known for its rich ceremonial traditions. The town is encircled by the temples of "Nine Durgas" and "Eight Bhairavs," it is believed that the eight entrances to the town are guarded and protected by the Bhairavs. Almora has been referred to as the town of Shiva and Shakti in ancient scriptures due to its spiritual heritage and the presence of various temples throughout the city that offer glimpses of the influences of Shiva and Shakti. Each year, on the auspicious occasion of "Bhairav Ashtami," people from all corners of the town gather at the eight different Bhairav temples to participate in religious ceremonies. Bhairav is revered for strength and power, but there are deeper dimensions to Bhairav beyond religious rituals and ceremonies. The significance of Bhairav is deeply ingrained in the mountain society. While the origins of Bhairav may vary in local folk tales, it is evident that Bhairav emerged in response to acts of injustice within society. Descriptions of Bhairav portray a tall, dark-skinned figure wielding a sword in one hand and a rope ("Dandh") in the other, symbolizing the punishment of those who perpetrate injustice in society.

"Bhairav and his Rituals"

"Bhairav is not an ordinary deity; he is much more than that. It is said that Bhairav can destroy seven generations of a family if one of his devotees calls upon him. People are usually a bit scared of the devotees of Bhairav because once a devotee gains control over Bhairav and harnesses his power, they can even bring harm to the next seven generations of a person. Bhairav is often considered a protective figure to his devotees. The rituals of Bhairav are distinct from those of other deities. The offerings to Bhairav usually consist of black lentils and rice. The concept of "Bali Pratha" is commonly observed in the worship of Bhairav, as he is a deity associated with rituals, and his religious ceremonies take place under the framework of "Tantra". His every aspect is related to Tantra, as he is considered the "Deity of Tantra", and his rituals are performed under the 'Vamachari Marg', referred to as the "Left Hand of God". Bhairav is worshipped in eight different forms, each associated with different purposes, including the ability to attain materialistic desires and even bend the reality."

Apart from being known for the "Ashta Bhairavs," Almora is also renowned for its various religious attractions. The temples in Almora can be categorized into two groups: Shiva temples and temples dedicated to the female form of Shiva, such as Tripura Sundari, Udyot Chandeshwar, and Parbateshwar. These temples add to the spiritual and cultural significance of Almora, making it a destination rich in religious diversity and history.

"Ashta Bhairav Temples" dedicated to eight Bhairavs:

• Kal Bhairava
• Batuk Bhairav
• Shah Bhairav
• Garhi Bhairava
• Anand Bhairava
• Gaur Bhairava
• Bal Bhairava
• Khutkuniya Bhairava

It seems that the eight gates of the city of Shiva are watched by Eight Bhairavas.

There are nine temples dedicated to nine forms of Durga. They are :

• Patal Devi or Patreshwari Devi
• Yakshini Devi
• Rajrajeshwari Devi
• Tripura
• Nanda
• Ulka Devi
• Sitla Devi
• Kot Kalika
• Durga Ratneshwari