Stuti & Sloka for the Temple
आलस्येनापि यो यायाद् गृहाद्विश्वेश्वरालायम
अश्वमेधाधिको धर्मस्तस्य स्याच्च पदे पदे ॥
Kashi Khand, Chapter 03, Shlok 86
The above Shloka has been taken from the 'Skanda Purana' where lord Shiva is saying that if a person leaves his home and goes to the Kaal Bhairav Temple, every step he takes in reaching the temple will yield more Punya than performing Ashwa Medh Yagya.
Story of the Temple
Once there was a confrontation between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma as to who was superior to them. At the same time, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a divine pillar which was lighted up both in the downward direction and also in the upward direction. Lord Shiva asked both Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu that the one who finds an end to this divine light will be declared the most Supreme.
Lord Vishnu sat on a 'Varaha' (wild boar) and went downwards whereas Lord Brahma sat on a 'Swan' and went upwards. Both of them tried very hard but could not find an end to the divine light after which they returned to Lord Shiva.
Lord Vishnu accepted that he could not find an end to the lighted pillar whereas Lord Brahma who was one of the heads used to tell lies saying that he did to find an end and hence he should be declared superior.
Hearing the lie from Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva got very angry and he took the Rudra Avatar (fierce form) of Lord Kal Bhairav. Only with one of his fingers Lord Kaal Bhairav take off the head of Lord Brahma.
As a result, the head of Lord Brahma got stuck in the hands of Kal Bhairav and he attained the 'Brahma Hatya Dosha'. Lord Kal Bhairav went to many places but could not get rid of the Brahma Hatya Dosha.
When lord Kaal Bhairav went to 'Vaikunth Dham' Bhagwan Vishnu guided him to go to Kashi to get rid of the Brahma Hatya Dosha. When lord Kaal Bhairav entered into Kashi the head which was stuck in his finger fell on the ground and he was freed from the Brahma Hatya dosha.
The place where the head of lord Brahma fell was known as the 'Kapal Mochan Teerth'. From that day Lord Kashi Vishwanath appointed Kaal Bhairav as the guardian of the city of Kashi. And gave a blessing that all the devotees who will worship Lord Kaal Bhairav in Kashi all their wishes will be fulfilled and they will attain Shiva Bhakti.
Importance of the Temple
When lord Shiva was leaving Kashi he handed over all the administrative responsibilities of the city of Kashi to lord Kaal Bhairav hence it is mandatory to obtain his permission as soon as you enter into Varanasi.
In Hindu Dharma Lord Brahma governs the life of an individual from Birth to Death but those who take birth in Kashi or even have a darshan of lord Kaal Bhairav in Kashi their life till death is governed by lord Kaal Bhairav himself.
Lord Kaal Bhairav is the Guru of all Chaya Graha including 'Rahu, Ketu, Mangal and Shani' hence devotees who worship Lord Kaal Bhairav get freed from the negative impacts of these Graha and their Maha Dasha. Lord Kaal Bhairav protects the 'Sati Pind' and no one can obtain Devi's bhakti without worshiping Lord Kaal Bhairav. Most of the time Mahadev is in Dhyana and it is lord Kaal Bhairav who guards and protects all the Shiv Bhaktas.
Why is Kaal Bhairav called the Kotwal (Guardian or Supreme Devta) of Kashi?
Any officer who takes charge of a Gazetted post in the city has to come and first seek permission from lord Kaal Bhairav. In all the police stations of Varanasi, it is Lord Kaal Bhairav's picture which is kept on the seat of the Police Superintendent. And the Police Superintendent sat next to him because it is believed that lord Kaal Bhairav is the real Guardian of Kashi responsible for the peace and tranquility here and all the police officers act on his behalf as his agents.
The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi before filling his nominations as a Member of Parliament from Varanasi first paid his respects in Shri Kaal Bhairav Temple and sought his permission.
Pujas Performed in the Temple
Auspicious tithis & festivals of temple
Tithi and Festival in Bhairav Temples :
1. Every Monday witness massive crowds in the Anand Bhairav.On Vaishakh Shukla Chaturdashi, Anand Bhairav is worshiped annually and adorned, the ritual is celebrated as the Annual Shringar Festival in the Temple.
2. Tuesday, Sunday, Ashtami, and Chaturdashi are said to be the days most auspicious for the Puja and Sewa of Bhagwan Anand Bhairav.
3. The monthly Ashtami which falls on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha also known as Kala Ashtami is a popular day in the Anand Bhairav Temple and attracts a large number of devotees in the temple.
4. The annual Kaal Bhairav Ashtami which is also celebrated as the Janmadivas of Bhagwan Kaal Bhairav is the most auspicious and popular festival in the Anand Bhairav Temple.
5. The Tithi of Amavasya and Maha Shivratri also becomes very significant for Puja of Anand Bhairav Bhahwan where he is in the most alert and active state to quickly respond to the aspirations of his devotees.