Sri Dhakshinâ Kâshî kâla Bhairav Temple

 

Sri Dhakshinâ Kâshî kâla Bhairav Temple. Dharmapuri, Tamilnadu

The temple was built by the earliest known chieftain who ruled Tagadur (present Dharmapuri) during the Sangam era King Adhiyaman Neduman Anci (வன்னியர் Vanniyar) whose patron

age sustained the famous poetress Avvaiyar in the 9th Century. The king was powerful, and oneof the Kadai ezhu vallal (7 great patrons) of arts and literature in ancient Tamilakam. The Satyaputra-Athiyamān Velirs wielded sufficient power in the 3rd century BCE.

There are only two temples in india for Sri Dhakshinâ Kâshî Kâla Bhairavar. At Kâshî ( Varnashi /Dhakshinâ Kâshî ),and at Adhiyamankotai, Dharmapuri. The temple is 1200 years old.

The Dhakshina Kâshî kâla Bhairav has all the eight manifestations

(Ashtâ Bhairavar) in him. (Asithaanga Bharivar - Ruru Bhairavar – Chanda Bhairavar  Krodha Bhairavar – Unnmatha Bhairavar -  Kapaala Bhairavar -Bheeshana Bhairavarand Samhaara Bhairavar)

The King Adhiyaman During his rule faced many problems in his kingdom. To dissolve those delusion, fearless, dispassionate, and to get liberation the great Astrologers in his kingdom advised: to overcome all your problems, you have to establish a separate temple for Sri Kâla Bhairavarand  worship him, addressing this Kâla Bhairava as "Lord of Time-Death" (kâla) for who shone likethe god of Death, but there is only one temple at Kâshî, hence you should go to Kâshî and doGanga poojâ, from the river bed of  Ganges you should procure the stone for carving theBhairavar. The stone carving of the Sri Bhairavar should be done at Kâshî by the sculptures, and after doing all Vedic spiritual rituals, should be brought to Tagadur for pradhishta. The templeroof at Tagadur should accommodate Navagrahâ and his Vâhanam the Dog (ruru)and thenandî should be present and pradhishta of the deity should be done facing South as in Kâshî .Accordingly it was the King Adhiyaman Neduman Anci on the advice of the great Astrologersestablished this temple, in the midst of Smashanam during 9th century at Tagadur (present Dharmapuri). Before the King go to the battlefield he will keep the sword and worship to Sri kâlaBhairavar here. He King not only won the war, he was happy as well as everyone in the Tagadurduring his time. Today the replica of the sword which was used by King Adhiyaman NedumanAnci during the battle is at this Kâla Bhairavar temple. The temple wall has inspiration of thetemple history in its form of stone inscriptions, and can be seen by visiting the temple .

About the Temple:

Sri Dhakshinâ Kâshî kâla Bhairav temple today is one of the most interesting at Dharmapuri,Tamilnadu. Entering from the street, through the Dwajasthambham and Bhairava's mount the dog (Ruru) guarding the main temple and as you enter one finds a fine courtyard with the nine planets (Navagrahâ) on the inner roof top and the Nandi, in the sanctum center of which is the main deity of Bhairava. You have to observe silent under the Navagrahâ being they will be reciting Thadhasthu almost every time. (means let it happen like that). The deity of Bhairava appears Nude and standing position along with his Vâhanam is visible through the doorway of inner sanctum. He carries Trident, Head, Padanghusha, and small membarane in his hands. He wears snake as poonool (yajňopavîtam) and in the hip, the rest of Bhairavar's image-said to be having 27 stars and 12 zodiac signs in his holy body. He is an ambiguous character terrifying,violent despicable, irresistibly attractive. I t is believed that worshipping here Sri Dhakshinâ Kâshîkâla Bhairav, will dissolve the delusion in the mind, makes one fearless and dispassionate, in creases detachment and grants liberation. His worship in fire is considered as auspicious andaccelerates spiritual progress, being he has the power to compress time in our consciousness and dissolve all unfavorable times. The celestial guardian can shield us from all forms of negativity with his fierce energy. Those having malefic planets in the birth lagna (Time) in transit are effective to reduce their negative effects here. He is also the presiding deity of planet Rahu.

At present the Gopuram for Bhairavar work is in progress in this temple.

It was on the eighth day (ashtamî) in the dark (waning moon) half of the month of Mârgashîrsha, in the Hindu month of Karthik (as per the South Indian Amavasya calendar, every month ends with a new moon) that Lord Shiva manifested himself as Bhairava. Ever since, by performing ablution to Sri  kâla Bhairav one is rid of even the worst sin of Brahmanicide and whosoever fasts on this day in front of Sri Kâla Bhairava they will be also blessed by the Goddess (AshtâLakshmi) who are also there with lords Bhairava on this day. Mother Lakshmi is the source and provider of the following enumerated well known sixteen types of wealth and many more: 1. Fame 2. Knowledge    3. Courage and Strength    4. Victory 5.  Good Children 6. Valour 7. Gold and other gross properties  8. Grains in abundance 9.  Happiness 10.  Bliss  11. Intelligence 12.  Beauty 13.  Higher aim 14.  Morality & Ethics 15. Good Health and 16. Long life.

Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santhan Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi and Vidya Lakshmi

Lighting a clay lamp using black pepper tied in a small  red cotton cloth like ball using Gingellyoil will destroy afflictions resulting omissions and possible stays awake at night is freed from great sins. Sundays and Tuesdays during rahu kalam are considered auspicious (holier) being sacredweekdays dedicated to Sri Bhairav.

kâla Bhairav Jayanti, or kâla  Bhairava Ashtami, is believed to be the appearance day of Lordkâla  Bhairav, the fierce form of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated on eighth day after Kartik Purnima. 

kâla  bhairava Ashtami falls in (Margashirsha Month)  Kartik month as per Tamil, Kannada, andTelugu, calendars.

Bhairavr has Eight manifestations,

ie Ashta Bhairavar that serves as guardians of the eight direction.

Asithaanga Bharivar - Dark Bodies Bhairavar - Creative Ability, protects East

Ruru Bhairavar - Teacher Bhairava - Divine Educator, protects South East

Chanda Bhairavar- Fierce Bhairava- Gives incredible energy, protects South

Krodha Bhairavar -Angry Bhairava-Gives power to take massive action, South West

Unnmatha Bhairavar -Frantic Bhairava- Control negative ego, protects West

Kapaala Bhairavar -Skull Bhairava- End all unrewarding work, North West

Bheeshana Bhairavar -Terrific Bhairava- Obliterates evil spirits, protects North

Samhaara Bhairavar -Annihilator Bhairava- Complete dissolution of old negative Karma Protects

North East

12 Sundays Rahu Kalam prayers, and 3 Ashtamî day (Moon phase fortnight) in the wanningphase (Krishna paksha Ashtamî ) if worshipped here,  its believed that SriBhairavar  will grand all

desires. During this time Eighteen  pra-dakshinam should be carried out in the temple.(One forLord Ganapathy, Eight for Ashta Bhairav and Nine for Navagrahâ). 

During abulation(Abhishekam) andAlankaram(Decoration) time of deity in the temples one should not do pra-dakshinam.

There are different type of lamps lighted for Sri Bhairav to attain his blessings on these days.more detail refer the heading why do we light lamp?

Those who are born on different zodiac signs and Nakshatras on which part of the deity to con centrated in detail refer to CHART FOUR for details

During the Ashtamî day from Morning 6:00 till 9:00 Ganapathy Homam, Lakshmi rituals Atirutaritual, Ashta Bhairava Homam will be performed, followed by Kâla Bhairava Utsavamurthy

Ratha pra-dakshinam reciting with his favourite  Bhairava preethi raagam, Thalam andBhairashtakam by the chief priest of the temple.

From 9:30 am onwards Rudra ablution and Abishekams of THIRUMANJANA PODI (fragrant powder), TURMERIC POWDER, KUMKUM, MILK, CURD, PANCHAMRUTHAM, TENDERCOCOUNUT, RICE POWDER, HONEY, SANDAL-POWDER WITH PANNER, and VIBHUTI), are  performed, Oblation prayers will take place, followed by the days Alankaram to Bhairavar and Maha Deepa Arâdhana. Anna Dâna will take place from 12 noon.

The Ashtamî day rahu kala ablution and Alankaram will go on as usual depending upon the week day Ashtamî falls. On the same day night from 10:30 pm onwards he Shatru Samharâ Homam and Kuruti pooja (blood rituals) will take place, and this will go on till dawn. During this time the main sanctum will be closed for Darshan. After the Shatru Samharâ Homam, Kuruti pooja, Ratha pra-dakshinam,along with the Utsavamurthy deity and ablution pots will be takenas pra- dakshinam of temple reciting with his favourite  Bhairava-preethi raagam, Thalam and

Bhairashtakam. The sanctum door is now opened for the ablution to deity Kâla Bhairava followed by Alankaram and Deepa Arâdhana as early in the morning.