Batuk Bhairav Temple

• 2016-09-03
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Introduction
Location: Lagankhel, Lalitpur
Style: Tiered temple, Single storey
Deity: Batuk Bhairav
Authority: Shree Batuk Bhairavnath Chhetra Bikas Sanstha

Myth and Legend
The ancient text Shakti Sangam Tantra in its Kali Khand chapter has mentioned the origin of Lord Batuk Bhairav. According to the text, once a demon named Aapat had gained powers through Sadhanas and he used it to harass everyone including the gods. The gods then got together and started to think of ways to find a solution to this problem. As they started concentrating, their powers appeared as a flash of light and took the form of a five year old child, Batuk. The child, then, killed the demon and saved the gods which is why he is known as Aapat Uddharak Batuk Bhairav.

Batuk Bhairab of Lagankhel
The temple of Batuk Bhairav at Lagankhel is related with the Minnath (Aadidev) at Tangal, Lalitpur. Once a year, on the day of Bhoto Jatra, the priest from Minnath come to this temple. Batuk Bhairab is believed to be a pupil of Minnath. On the fourth day after Bhoto Jatra, a Yagya is performed, in which five priests of Minnath perform secret rituals along with their wives. On completion, two fishes and a pair of sparrow are brought for Aaganpuja at the Saptapatal pond. Fishes are offered to the Pataldev to send a message that ‘we completed the jatra and took the annas, but no any money and valuables’. Also, sparrows are freed to the sky with message to Indradev that ‘we completed the jatra as your permission, we took the annas, but no any money and valuables. After these rituals, a feast is organized at the temple of Batuk bhairav.

Socio-cultural and Religious aspects
In tantra and other Hindu puja, this is the most worshiped form of Lord Bhairav among the various forms of Bhairav. All other forms of Bhairav are terrifying apart from this as this is in the form of a child. He is also known as the child form of Lord Shiva. The image of BatukBhairav is displayed with a dog accompanying him, which is symbolized as dharma.

He is said to be pleased by the devotion of the worshippers and conducting puja and homamis said to take away all the obstacles and cleanse the soul. Also, the dogs, especially the black dogs are considered to be the form of Bhairav and feeding the dogs every Saturday and taking care of them is also said to please the god and bring good fortune. People seek fulfillment of the following worshipping Batuk Bhairab:

1. Salvation
2. Wealth
3. Relief from Diseases
4. Purchase of Vehicles
5. Gain Knowledge

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