Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh India

Kal Bhairav temple of Ujjain is enshrined with the idol of Kal Bhairava, who is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. The temple is well known for its exquisite painting in Malwa style. Bhairava is believed to have been a part of the Kapalika and Aghora sects that are associataed with 'Tantra' (black magic). Tourists can find holy men with ash smeared on their body and liquor being offered as a part of the ritual to Kal Bhairava.Kal Bhairav temple of Ujjain is enshrined with the idol of Kal Bhairava, who is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. The temple is well known for its exquisite painting in Malwa style. Bhairava is believed to have been a part of the Kapalika and Aghora sects that are associataed with 'Tantra' (black magic). Tourists can find holy men with ash smeared on their body and liquor being offered as a part of the ritual to Kal Bhairava.Kal Bhairav temple of Ujjain is enshrined with the idol of Kal Bhairava, who is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. The temple is well known for its exquisite painting in Malwa style. Bhairava is believed to have been a part of the Kapalika and Aghora sects that are associataed with 'Tantra' (black magic). Tourists can find holy men with ash smeared on their body and liquor being offered as a part of the ritual to Kal Bhairava.

 Lord Kal Bhairava is the manifestation of Lord Shiva who is said to oversee the time ahead. It is also said that the "Time lost is lost forever", so one should make a good use of time in Life. The Kal Bhairava Temple, Ujjain is the place where Lord Kal Bhairava is being worshipped at Ujjain. This is a must see for the devotees of the Shaivaites.  Since time cannot be restored the people say that the Kal Bhairava should be worshipped. Time must be spent keeping in view that spiritual progress is necessary in lives of men. So, people go to the Kal Bhairava temple in order to worship Kal Bhairava, Kal Bhairava is also known as Khetrapala and he is regarded as the guardian of the temple that is why the keys of the Kal Bhairava temple is to be kept at the temple premise at night and no one should carry it elsewhere.

Since Kal Bhairava is also the protector of the travelers, one should make a garland of Cashew nuts and give it to the God along with lighting a lamp so that he is pleased and save the traveler from any danger.

This is to be done especially if the journey is at night. Since dog is the vehicle of the Lord, it is very auspicious to feed dogs which show our respect to Kal Bhairava. All the offerings to the Kal Bhirava Lord are to be done at the day of Kal Bhairava Ashthami, when the lord is being worshipped with care and dedication.

One of the most famous temples in Ujjain, this temple adds to the similarity of Ujjain and Kashi. As at Kashi, Kal Bhairav is the Kshetrapal, or the guardian deity of the city, and it is the custom to leave the keys with the deity when the temple is closed at night, in the belief that he takes care of the temple and its properties. However, this temple is famous, not for its origins or its importance in the scheme of temples, but for its deity who guzzles wine by the gallons. Yes, the main offering to the deity is wine, and this is also the only Prasad given to the devotees. People flock to this temple, all carrying bottles of wine as an offering. Liquor is available 365 days a year outside the temple.

The temple is built inside what looks like a fortress, and the present temple is said to have been built by the Marathas. There are supposed to be some good paintings in the Malwa style inside, but they are barely visible, and in any case, no one at the temple seems inclined to draw attention towards them. All eyes are on the deity, into whose mouth liquor is poured.