Bhairavnath Temple, Bhaktapur, Bagmati Nepal

Bhairavnath Temple was constructed as a single storey pagoda initially by King Jagat Jyoti Malla. Later on it was constructed into a three tier temple. This was done in the year 1718 by King Bhupatindra Malla. The temple was dedicated to Lord Bhairav. Lord Bhairav was considered to be the God of Terror. The inner part of the temple has the head of Bhairav. It is said that the head of Bhairav was chopped off by a tantric with an intention to keep him back in Bhaktapur city. This temple is also made in the style of a pagoda.

The Bhairava Temple is uniquely linked to the temple right across it known as Nyataponla Temple. According to legend, the temple dedicated to Bhairava, the vengeful incarnation of Shiva, was built first so that he can protect the city. However, the people quickly felt uncomfortable and the god proved to be a bit temperamental. To counter this, the priests suggested to the king to build another temple to oppose this one, hence the Nyataponla Temple