Adhiyaman Kottai Sri Dhakshina Kashi Kalabairavar Temple, Dharmapuri

Address

Adhiyaman Kottai Sri Dhakshina Kashi Kalabairavar Temple, Adhiyaman Kottai, Salem Bye – Pass Road, Dharmapuri – 636705, Tamilnadu, India. Phone: + 09443272066 & 09443272066

Diety

Sri Dhakshina Kashi Kalabairavar

Introduction

The Kalabairavar Temple in Dharmapuri District is a prominent temple in the region and attracts devotees from surrounding areas, including Bangalore and Salem.

Significance:

The temple is dedicated to Lord Kalabairavar, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. Kalabairavar is known for his protective and fearless nature.
There are only two Kalabairavar temples in India, and the Dharmapuri Kalabairavar Temple is one of them.
It is a well-known place of worship for people from Karnataka, especially Bangalore, and Andhra Pradesh.

Historical Roots:

The temple has ancient origins and is believed to have been constructed by the kings who ruled Krishnagiri. It has a history that spans over a thousand years.

Regional Devotion:

Kalabairavar is considered the family deity for a large number of villagers from over a hundred nearby villages, including Mammampalli, Pachikanapally, Alapatti, Kallupatti, Nellur, Kollapatti, and more.

Types of Bhairavas:

There are eight types of Bhairavas, each with its own unique characteristics and attributes. Worship of these Bhairavas is an integral part of the temple’s rituals.

Worship and Devotees:

The temple is visited by a significant number of devotees, with nearly 20,000 people attending on Astami and 5,000 people on every Sunday.
Special prayers and rituals are conducted for various purposes, including the alleviation of ancestral curses, pitturu curses, and other afflictions mentioned.
The temple’s spiritual calendar includes 12 Sunday prayers and other specific rituals.

Idols and Symbolism:

There are two Kalabairava idols in the temple, and a statue of Nandi, the bull, at the entrance.
Kalabairava’s weapon is the trident.
He is associated with both vegetarianism and Vaishnavism.
Kalabairava is depicted with four hands, each holding symbolic items.

Guardian Deity:

Kalabairava is known as the constant guardian of devotees and is believed to grant peace of mind and protection from enemies.

Timeless Worship:

The temple remains open for prayer 24 hours a day, as Kalabairava is considered the lord of all periods of time.

Unique Attributes:

The temple has a unique presence of sacred vehicles, including Nandi and a dog, which sets it apart from other temples where only the dog is typically associated with Bhairava.