Bhairavnath (also called Bhairav, Bhairon, Bhaironath) is the central antagonist-turned-beneficiary in the most widely circulated version of the Mata Vaishno Devi legend. He was a powerful tantric disciple of Gorakhnath. [1] [2] [3] [4]
When Pandit Shridhar organised a grand bhandara, the divine girl (Vaishno devi in human form) miraculously fed Gorakhnath, Bhairavnath and their 360 disciples. Impressed yet suspicious, Gorakhnath and Bhairavnath resolved to test her true identity. Bhairavnath demanded meat and liquor, which the girl refused, stating that only pure Vaishnava vegetarian food could be served at a Brahmin’s feast. Enraged, Bhairavnath attempted to seize her. The girl vanished and fled towards Trikuta mountain. [2] [3] [4]
Bhairavnath pursued her relentlessly. At Adhkuwari (Garba Joon cave), Vaishnavi resided for nine months; when Bhairavnath tried to enter, she created an exit with her trident and continued to the Holy Cave on Trikuta Parvat. There she posted Langur Veer (Hanuman) as guard. When Bhairavnath finally forced his way in, Vaishnavi assumed the fierce form of Chandi and decapitated him. [2] [3] [4]
Bhairavnath’s torso fell at the mouth of the Holy Cave, while his severed head landed 1.5–3 km away in a valley now known as Bhairav Ghati. As his head rolled, Bhairavnath repented and repeatedly cried “Ma!” Recognising his remorse, Vaishno Devi granted him liberation (moksha) and a boon: every pilgrimage to her shrine would remain incomplete unless devotees also visited Bhairavnath’s temple and paid homage to him. Thus, darshan of Bhairav Ghati after the main Bhawan became an obligatory part of the Vaishno Devi yatra. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The Bhairav Temple is located approximately 1.42 km from Vaishno Devi Bhawan at an altitude of 6,619 feet. An alternative shorter track from the temple leads directly to Sanjichhat (2 km away), allowing pilgrims to save distance on the return journey. [2] [4]
There are many temples of Baba Bhairava (Shiva's incarnation) in India especially in Ujjain and Varanasi. The only temple of Bhairavnath is in Jammu Division of J&K.