Kaal Bhairav Templeकाल भैरव मंदिर
The temple of the Kotwal of Kashi, whose leave you are said to need to stay in the city.
See what is open on your dateOpen in Google MapsWhereVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh
Purvanchal
Purvanchal
Kind of placeTemples & Shrines, Pilgrimage Routes
Best time to visit15 October to 15 March
Good seasonsPost-monsoon (October to November), Winter (December to February)
DifficultyEasy
Time needed1 hr
Base and nearbyVisheshwarganj, Varanasi Junction
EntryFree
About Kaal Bhairav Temple
Bhairav is the Kotwal, the police chief, of Kashi, and tradition says nobody may live in the city without his permission, so many pilgrims come here first. The idol, a silver face garlanded with marigolds, is glimpsed through a doorway; priests tie a black thread on your wrist as protection. Small, intense and very old in feel, in the crowded lanes north of Chowk.
What to see and do
- The silver-faced Bhairav idol
- Black thread tied by the priests
- Bhairav Ashtami in November or December
- The Visheshwarganj lanes
Opening status, best time and closures here are estimates from usual seasons and past patterns, not live information. Confirm with the local authority before you go. Terms of use
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Jagah Pedia is a free travel guide by Santosh Pandey. Status, timings and closures are estimates from usual patterns, so confirm locally before you travel.