Black Bhairab, the terror of dishonest citizens


This is a sculpture of the terrifying six-armed Black Bhairab god in Basantapur. No one knows where it originally came from, the temple or even the town in which it stood. It was found near a royal forest where a Malla king was constructing a garden. The god cloaked in human skins and garlanded with human heads stands upon a demon. This fierce god is admired and revered as a form of Shiva. He is never left without offerings - rice, vermilion, incense, flowers - placed in his skull bowl. People accused of crime used to be brought before the Bhairab to swear their innocence. It was believed that the god would  punish anyone who tells lies in front of him by causing them to bleed to death.

4 comments:

  1. There are many bhairavs. They are also believed to be commander in chief of gods army or the protectors.

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  2. Many Bhairavs? I knew there is White Bhairav also. and what others? It's interesting.

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  3. Dear Olga, I found by accidental your site and I post a link to you on my blog. Hope is not a problem, but I realy enjoy the images and yor life story. Thank a lot!

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  4. There is another red bhairav. Bhairavs have so many names like rudhra bhairav and so on. Anyway bhairav depicts our peaceful god ... lord shivas angry face or his anger.

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