Shri Kaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi

Shri Kaal Bhairav Temple stands at Bhaironath in the Visheshar Ganj or Vishweshwarganj area of Varanasi. The supplied guide presents Lord Kaal Bhairav as a fierce manifestation of Shiva, Lord of Time and the Kotwal or guardian of Kashi.

This is an independent temple associated with the sacred geography and pilgrimage traditions of Kashi. It is not the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and is physically distinct from the Batuk Bhairav Temple at Kamachha.

Temple-specific details on hours, administration, access and ritual arrangements come from the supplied offline guide and require current confirmation.

The supplied guide describes a silver-faced image visible through the sanctum doorway, with the remainder draped in cloth and adorned with a golden crown and jewellery. It also names the dog as Bhairav's vahana and describes a trident.

The same guide makes a reclining-posture claim. Because the posture and related iconographic details have not been checked with the temple authority, this pilot records the description without replacing it with another posture or presenting it as independently verified.

This is a devotional and scriptural tradition attributed by the supplied guide, not modern historical evidence.

The supplied guide does not establish a compass-facing entrance or sanctum direction, so this pilot does not invent one.

The temple is approached through the old-city lanes from the Visheshar Ganj crossroads or Golghar and Maidagin side. Follow current signs, queue controls and staff directions.

The source describes the silver-faced image as visible through the sanctum doorway. Current viewing, photography and offering arrangements require confirmation.

Access note: Step-free access, parking capacity, lockers, footwear rules and service availability are not established by the supplied guide.

This six-step flow is visitor-planning guidance. It is not a required ritual sequence and does not replace current temple directions.

These are general devotional catalogue entries. They are not presented as an exclusive liturgy of Shri Kaal Bhairav Temple.

The source-table Gayatri entry remains withheld on recension-review hold. Full-hymn publication requires Sanskrit review; verses 2-8 and the phalashruti were not supplied. Other source-only formula material remains held for provenance review, and no missing text has been reconstructed.

The supplied guide describes Mangala Aarti, morning abhishekam, Bhog Aarti, evening darshan and Sandhya Aarti. Their reported times are listed separately from public darshan hours and require confirmation.

Priest-led Raksha Sutra, Abhishekam and Archana are source-described temple practices. Registration, accepted materials, fees and access must be checked with the current temple authority.

The source assigns Sringar Darshan to Tuesday, while special pujas and oil lamps are described for Tuesday and Sunday. No ritual outcome is guaranteed, and this guide provides no initiation-dependent or operational mantra instruction.

The supplied guide does not establish a dependable named-prasad list, so no specific prasad is invented here.

All distances and travel times are source-reported approximations. These cards remain distinct from the optional circuit below.

1. Hotel or stay
   The source itinerary begins from the visitor's stay; departure time and transport remain personal planning choices.
2. Shri Kaal Bhairav Temple
   The source itinerary begins around 6:00 AM and allows roughly 1-1.5 hours, subject to actual opening and queues.
3. Kapal Mochan Teerth
   The guide allows 15-20 minutes but varies between nearby and within the temple area; confirm the actual route.
4. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
   The source itinerary next allows 1.5-2 hours for this separate temple.
5. Dashashwamedh Ghat and Ganga Aarti
   The sequence ends with a separately planned ghat visit and source-listed evening programme.
6. Return to hotel or home
   The source closes the day with a return around 7:00-8:00 PM; this is an itinerary estimate, not a guaranteed finish time.

The six-row source itinerary is retained as planning guidance and estimates a total 5-10 km day; the distance is approximate. Another passage describes a Vishwanath-before-Bhairav custom; neither sequence is compulsory or guaranteed.

• HoursMain and alternate schedules conflict; verify opening, closing and aarti access.
• EntryThe source says entry is free, but current entry and seva arrangements must be confirmed.
• Clothing and itemsTraditional attire, mobile and leather-item statements are source-reported visitor rules, not confirmed live policy.
• PhotographyThe source says sanctum photography is prohibited and exterior photography is usually allowed; verify current signage.
• LockersNearby nominal-fee lockers are source-reported; availability, price and security are not guaranteed.
• OfferingsUse only accepted materials and authorised counters or priests.
• Old-city accessNarrow lanes, traffic controls and parking arrangements can change.
• MobilityStep-free access and assistance are not established by the supplied guide.
• Health and safetyWorship is not medical treatment; stay hydrated, protect belongings and follow crowd directions.
• Respectful conductKeep passages clear, avoid litter and follow temple staff and posted rules.

These links are evidence labels from the offline package, not endorsements or live-verification results. Hours, transport, access and festival arrangements can change.