Kalabhairav temple, Ujjain

There are a few typical things that define the Indian temples. The old structure, standing on ornate pillars, a wide courtyard filled with devotees, Sadhus sitting in the corner minding their own business, priests walking around here and there in a hurry, and vendors selling plates filled with flower garlands, vermillion, turmeric, and oil lamps.

But, when you step down from an auto-rickshaw and start walking towards the Kalabhairav temple, you take a pause. You suddenly realize that when you had purchased a Puja Thali from that vendor, he has added one extra thing to it. 90 ml Old Monk Rum bottle. You read it right. 90 ml Rum is the holy offering to the lord Kalabhairav, protector of Ujjain city.

Ujjain has a legendary history. It used to be a political center of central India around 2600 years ago, the capital of Kingdom Avanti. Known as Greenwich of India, where the tropic of Cancer and zero meridian of longitude intersect, Ujjain is considered as one of the holiest places in India.

Located in the heart of India, in a state called Madhya Pradesh, the city of Ujjain has its own importance in the hearts of Tantra seekers. Located on the bank of the river Kshipra, Kalabhairav Temple is one of the strangest temples you will see in India.

Tempe History

Although ancient Indian scriptures like Skanda Purana mention this temple, no one knows the exact date it was constructed. The Vigrahas found in the temple can be dated to the Parmara period, sculpted during the period of 8th to 10th century.

Marathas received a fatal blow in the third battle of Panipat. Before going on a campaign to recapture the lost Maratha territory, Legendary Maratha General Mahadaji Shinde presented his signature Shinde hat to the Lord Kalabhairav and made a Sankalp, that if he managed to gain all the lost territories for Marathas, he will reconstruct the temple.

The present-day temple was built over the remains of an ancient temple by Mahadaji Shinde in the 17th century. Still today, Lord Kalabhairav wears that hat as a sign of affection towards his beloved seeker Mahadaji.

Temple Architecture

Constructed in a typical Maratha styled architecture, it has a castle-like glamorous entrance, constructed with black stones. Once you enter the premises, you will see a Deep Stambha, a light tower located in the middle of the courtyard. There is nothing grandeur about the main temple building, which looks like an ordinary temple.

Sanctum Santorum is built with white marble, where lord Kalabhairav is residing. The Vigraha of Kalabhairav is heavily coated with a thick layer of vermillion and has two small round cavities side by side, representing the deep eyes, and one big cavity underneath, depicting a mouth. The golden color over the top of Vigraha represents the crown.

The Miracle

As you hand over the Puja plate to the priest, he will return you the plate with some of the flowers underneath the God. He will open the rum bottle and will pour the liquid into a silver plate. You will not believe your eyes when you will see that the liquid is disappearing into the mouth of Vigraha, even without tilting the plate.

You can call this phenomenon a simple capillary action, but for the devotees, it’s an actual Prasad, a holy offering they offered with so much affection, that their Lord has accepted with grace. The priest will return the remaining alcohol as Teertha, or a holy offering for consumption to the devotees.

Swamiji says, when you present Almighty with holy offerings, present those with utmost dedication, devotion, and love. As you do so, share your sorrows, your difficulties with your divine. Share your story with them. Tell them about yourself. Whatever is in your mind. The things you cannot share with others, you can share with your Guru, your divine.

How Alcohol and spirituality be compatible?

You see lots of people destroying their own lives when they get engulfed in alcohol addiction. Then how come a powerful tantric temple can endorse it? The answer lies in two words. Mindful moderation. Alcohol consumed in moderation can act as a medicine. Many researchers claim that in various religions, alcohol in moderate quantities is used as a tool for enlightenment and as a symbol of divine intimacy. Nothing in moderate quantities is prohibited in Tantra.

Swamiji tells us again and again, that Tantra never prohibits you from enjoying your life. Only after enjoying it thoroughly, you can reach divinity without any resentment. Hence, drinking in small quantities is allowed. Getting hammered every night is strictly prohibited.

Every Shakti Peeth in the Indian subcontinent is considered as a source of celestial energy. On each location, you will find the statue of Kalabhairav, protecting these energy centers.

Devotees believe that worshipping Kalabhairav yields protection against diseases, evil eyes, enemies, and poverty.

Worshipping this fiery deity expels darkness from the lives and subdues the enemies.

Considered as a drinking god himself, Lord Kalabhairav is popular amongst the addicts, to get rid of any kind of addictions.

For thousands of years, Lord Kalabhairav has been standing tall, in the holy city of Ujjain, protecting his devotees from greed, lust, and anger.