Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1805 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Late medieval · Hindu · India

Kaal Bhairav Mandir, Varanasi

Visheshwarganj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh · 25.3176°, 82.9739°

Kaal Bhairav (Bhairava, form of Shiva)Undetermined
Sacred since
1630 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
mid-17th c.
Undetermined

History & significance

The shrine of Kaal Bhairav in the Visheshwarganj quarter of Varanasi, regarded as the guardian of the city; the present structure dates from the middle of the 17th century, though the shrine itself is older.

Sthala katha — the legend

Shiva is said to have created Kaal Bhairav to humble Brahma's pride, and after he struck off Brahma's fifth head he came to Varanasi, where the head fell and the spot became the Kapal Mochan Teerth, Shiva then decreeing that he remain in the city forever.

Open in Google Maps ↗Wikipedia ↗View on the atlas map

Related sites

Kola Valvill Ramar Temple
Thiruvelliyangudi · India
dating unrecorded
Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, Tirusirupuliyur
Thirusirupuliyur · India
dating unrecorded
Thirukkavalampadi
Thirunangur · India
dating unrecorded
Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram
Thirunangur · India
dating unrecorded
Thiruvanpurushothamam
Thirunangur · India
dating unrecorded
Perarulaalan Perumal Temple (Thirusemponsei Koil)
Thirunangur · India
dating unrecorded

Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Undetermined