Bhairabnath Temple

The well-restored, triple-roofed Bhairabnath Temple (also known as the Kasi Vishwanath or Akash Bhairab; M045A) has an unusual rectangular plan and a somewhat chequered history. It was originally built as a one-storey temple in the early 17th century, but was rebuilt with two storeys by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1717. The 1934 earthquake caused great damage to the temple and it was completely rebuilt and a third floor added.

Casually stacked by the north wall of the temple are the enormous wheels and temple chariot runner on which the image of Bhairab (a fearsome form of Shiva) is conveyed around town during the Bisket festival in mid-April. Bhaktapur celebrates Bisket Jatra (Nepali new year's day) on April 14th with a stupendous chariot festival.

Curiously, despite Bhairab's fearsome powers and his massive temple, his bodiless image is only about 15cm high! A small hole in the central door (below a row of carved boar snouts) is used to push offerings into the temple's interior, but the actual entrance to the Bhairabnath Temple is through the small Betal Temple, on the south side of the main temple.

The temple's façade is guarded by two brass lions and includes an image of Bhairab painted on rattan with real dried intestines draped across it! Head here at dusk to catch nightly devotional music.