Bagh Bhairab, The Guardian Deity Of Kirtipur

Bhairab is considered as the most terrifying form of Lord Shiva.  There are several images of Bhairab erected around the nooks and crannies of the Kathmandu valley, from temple premises to cremation sites to wheels of chariots. There are about sixty four different forms of Bhairab, seen in the images of him in Nepal, depicting him in his combined human form, demonic and animal characteristics.

One of the forms of Bhairab is Bagh Bhairab, also known as the guardian deity of Kirtipur, one of the oldest Newari settlements in Nepal. The three storied temple of Bagh Bhairab standly proudly in the brick-paved rectangular courtyard is believed to be built in 16^th century. With the main gate at the southern side, there are other two gates at the eastern and the western sides. The courtyard also houses some small shrines and stone images around it. The third roof o the temple is covered with gilt-copper while the other two are made up of tiles. The wooden pillars are carved with the images of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses. These pillars are erected between the windows of the second storey and the names of the carved deities have been finely engraved on the pedestals below the images. With one in the first roof, six in the middle and eleven in the top roof, there are altogether eighteen pinnacles. There are old and faded wall paintings depicting the stories of Ramayan, Mahabharat and various other manifestations of Durga beneath the eaves of the first roof.

An idol of god of blood sacrifice, Hifa Dyo, is situated at the right side of the temple and any sacrifice made to Bhairab is directly offered to him here. On the second gate, there is a stone idol of goddess Kumari. Two torans which bear the fine cutting of Asta-Matriks, Asta-Bhairab and other gods and goddesses are situated over Hifa Dyo. A small space on the western wall of the temple is dedicated to Nasa Dyo, the god of music and dance. There are also some of the rusted weapons that were snatched away from the Gorkha-soldiers during the Gorkhalese attack on Kirtipur.

The temple houses a clay image of Bagh Bhairab which is in the left corner of the temple. The three glass-eyed tiger-god is tongue and toothless but is covered with silver and copper plates and is heavily ornamented. This god is called Byagresvar, the tiger god, Bhimsen Bhattarak (Bhimsen, the guardian deity), Gudei Sthanadhipati (the lord in the form of tiger) and Ajudyo (the ancestral god). The lord is regarded as the lord of knowledge, productivity and strength who could resist all the evils because of which all the auspicious ceremonies in Kirtipur are done only after worshipping the god.

Once in every twelve years, Bagh Bhairab dance is performed where the mask-dancers compose twelve deities like Bhairab, Mahadev, Ganesh, Ganga, Vaisnavi, Brahmayani, Indrani, Kumaru , Kalika, Barahi, Sinhini and Byaghini. The Gathus performs this dance in several places throughout the year. The deities are laid dead twice and brought to life again with the water chanted with the incantation by the guru who used to perform the dawo-khin. Finally, the masks die for the third time and then, they are carried to funeral procession which is accompanied by beating of naye khinsand blowing of kahas to the cremation site. Then the masks of all the deities, except Ganesh who does not die in the dance, are piled on the pyre and they are burned with a bundle of lighted reeds marking the end of the dramatic tantric dance.

The rath jatra (chariot festival) of Bagh Bhairab is celebrated on the first day of Bhadra that falls around the second week of English month of August. The local women and girls wearing new colorful clothes and carrying the sukunda lamps stands in front of the decorated chariot and behind it is the musical band. The chariot is carried on the human shoulders and pulled throughout the place accompanied by hymns, songs and musical instruments. The jatra ends after the round and people enjoy the bhoj followed by shows that presents the legend of origin and presence of this god as a guardian deity of Kirtipur.

Bhutan Devi Temple In Hetauda

Situated at Butan Devi Road-10 in Hetauda, the temple of Butan Devi is not only famous in Hetauda but all over Nepal. The temple is built is perfect Vastu principal and it is believed that worshipping the goddess helps one to get victory over serious troubles, problems and fear. Butan Devi actually is the form of goddess Durga who killed the great demon Mahishasura because of which she is also known by the name of Mahishasura Sardinia.

According to the legends, Mahishasura has terrorized all everyone, from humans to saints, even the gods could not defeat him. He had captured all the three worlds lost by the gods in the battle with him. The defeat was too much for the gods to take and the power of their anger took a form of a mountain that unified the power of all the three worlds and transformed into a woman, who then killed the demon in a battle that lasted for nine days and nights. The battle is now celebrated as the festival of Nauratha or Navaratri.

She is also known as the warrior avatar of goddess Durga, the Mother Shakti. She is the greatest form of power and courage. The temple houses a statue of the goddess killing Mahishasura, who is trying to transfer his Buffalo form back to Human. There are various other small temples of gods and goddesses like Radha-Krishna temple, Laxmi-Narayan temple, Shiva temple, Manakamana Devi temple, etc. inside the Bhutan Devi temple premises and it is said that she holds the power of all these gods and goddesses. Also many monkeys live around the temple area who would snatch away anything you carry if you are not careful enough.

People from all over Nepal come to visit this temple and seek for power and courage to overcome their troubles and fear. The temple is quiet and peaceful and being in the temple itself makes the person forget their problems.

Baglung Kalika Temple

Situated in the Baglung district in far western region in Nepal, the temple of Baglung Kali Bhagawati is one of the famous temples in Nepal. Also known as Kalika Bhagawati temple, it is one of the most religiously significant places located deep inside the dense forest just above the northern side of Kali Gandaki.

Kali is one of the most powerful and dangerous form of the Hindu goddess Durga and is often associated with the power, Shakti. Goddess Kali also means ‘the black one’. She is considered Kali, consort of Lord Shiva which also means time or death as Lord Shiva is often considered as ‘Kala‘, the eternal time. She is the prime goddess of the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce goddesses of Tantra or the Tantric goddesses. Besides this, Kali is strongly associated with Shiva and Shaivas derive the masculine Kala (a form of Shiva) from her feminine name.

The temple of Baglung Kali was built by Pratap Narayan and was renovated in late 1990s. There are various other small temples like that of Lord Shiva, Radha Krishna, Laxmi Narayan, etc. inside the Baglung Bhagwati temple. Every year, thousands of religious pilgrims from all over the world come to visit the temple. Not only the normal Hindu devotees, but also Tantrics from all over the world come to the temple to get Siddhi (knowledge) on their field of interest. Also, marriage is conducted inside the temple with a belief that their married life will be blessed with every kind of happiness. During the festival of Navaratri/Nauratha, the temple is crowded with devotees coming from every corner of Nepal to celebrate the festival there. People also come here to perform puja to get victory over their enemies, win legal suits, win the heart of their beloved and protection from black magic.

It is said that the goddess fulfills the wishes of the devotees if they could please her. She is also known as Bhavatarini literally meaning ‘rescuer of the universe’.

Akash Bhairab, The God Of Sky

One of the many forms of Bhairab, also known as the brother of the living goddess Kumari, Akash Bhairab is an important deity of Newar community. Considered as the ‘god of sky’, several temples in Kathmandu are dedicated to this Hindu deity. One of the most famous temples of Akash Bhairab is the one situated in the middle of Indra Chowk. The three storey temple in the center of the main market in Indra Chowk is one of the oldest temples in the Kathmandu valley and it has a huge image of the god which is displayed outside for a week during the festival of Indra Jatra.

It is said that the head of this god was dug up several hundred years ago in Kathmandu and the head now resides in the temple of Akash Bhairab in Indra Chowk and it is the same image which is taken out every year during the Indra Jatra festival. Akash Bhairab or the god of sky is also known as Sava Bhakku Deva or Wanga Day in Newari language.

Bhairab is considered as one of the most important deity in Newar community, hence, every Newari settlement has at least one temple of Bhairab. Bhairab is also known as the most dangerous form of Lord Shiva, the destructive part of him. And, as he is considered as the community or local deity of the settlement where his temple stands, people perform puja's before they start any new work or ceremonies. Worshipping the god is said to take away the bad omen from the life of the devotees and allow them to perform their auspicious ceremonies with happiness and good health. Hence, before the beginning of any kind of ceremony or work, the idol or the image of Bhairab is worshipped.

The temple of Akash Bhairab is one of the oldest temples in the valley situated in Indra Chowk near the Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Bindabasini, The Guardian Deity Of Pokhara

Situated in the northern part of the beautiful lake city of Nepal is the temple of Bindabasini Located near the busy Old Bazzar of Pokhara, the temple of Bindabasini stands proudly at about 3000 feet above the sea level along the Annapurna and Machhapuhhare Himalayan Range. Bindabasini temple, the temple of the guardian deity is of great religious value to the Hindus living in Pokhara.

The temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga and is regarded as the guardian deity of Pokhara. The form of Durga residing in the Bindabasini temple is of Bhagawati, a blood-thirsty aspect of the goddess. The temple was founded in 1845 BS after the goddess ordered King Khadag Bam Malla to set up her statue there. The temple observes animal sacrifices on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Large numbers of devotees throng to the temple during the festival of Bada Dashain.

The beautiful white pagoda style temple of Bindabasini is surrounded by a park-like setting. Many people come here not only to visit the temple but to enjoy picnic with families and friends indulging themselves in the breathtaking view of the Pokhara bazaar from atop the hill. Also the majestic view of the snow clad mountains and the fresh scent of the incent sticks in the temple gives peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. This is one of the most important holy places for the Hindus in Nepal. Also, the stamps were printed with the picture of the temple in the year 2045.

Bakreshwor Mahadev For Curing Stammering Problem

The mysterious temple of Bakreshwor Mahadev or Bakreshwor Shiva and Shakti temple is situated at the remote mountain near the Manakamana temple. This rare place is very much present into its natural form without any kind of artificial interferience by humans. It is believed that the tongue of Sati Devi,Lord Shiva‘s wife, fell into this place when he was roaming the world carrying her dead body in his arms. It is, hence, considered as one of the major Shakti Peethas of Nepal.

The temple is still untouched from the urban and modern means of transportation's and is still present in its pure and natural form. One has to walk through the Manakamana temple, climbing mountains and passing through remote villages of the region to reach the temple. One of the reasons why the temple is not famous is that there are no means of transportation that could talk you to the temple except for your own two feet. Also, being in a mountain amidst some of the remote village is one of the many reasons why the temple still lies in secret and unknown to the rest of the world.

It is believed that the kids who have stammering problem started speaking after conducting a puja in this temple. Hence, Bakreshwor Mahadev is believed to cure the stammering problems of his devotees. This temple is also considered as a temple of Mahavidya. The main spot where Sati Devi stongue is believed to have fallen is untouched and in open. Also, a temple of Lord Ganesh lay in the temple premises as he is considered as Gana Nayaka, leader of the ganas (attendents). The Shiva Linga present here is made up of natural rock and is shaped as a tongue. Also, Sati Devi’s tongue is found here which is also in a state of rock.

The temple is said to be powerful and the Lord is famous for cures the stammering problem of his devotees. People from various corners of Nepal come to visit the temple and worship the Lord for the fulfillment of their wishes.