The Ashta Bhairavas () are the eight manifestations of the Hindu god Bhairava, a ferocious form of Shiva. They are regarded to guard and control the eight cardinal directions. Each of the Ashta Bhairavas is regarded to preside over eight subordinate Bhairavas, totalling 64 Bhairavas. The Ashta Bhairavas are described to be subordinate to Kālabhairava, who is considered the supreme ruler of time in the universe and the chief form of Bhairava.
Description +FormAttributesConsortDirectionPlanetMountShrineAsterismDeityAsitāṅgaWhite-complexioned; four arms; japamala, kamandalu, sword, and skull cupBrahmaniEastJupiterSwanSattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi, Kandeeswarar Temple, KandiyurPushyaVishnuRuruLight blue-complexioned; four arms; deer, axe, sword, and bowlMaheshvariSoutheastVenusBullRathnagiriswarar Temple, ThirumarugalKrttika, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara PhalguniBrahmaCaṇḍaWhite-complexioned; four arms; bow, arrow, sword, and bowlKaumariSouthMarsPeacockVaitheeswaran KoilMrigashirsha, Chitra, DhanishtaSuryaKrodhaDark blue-complexioned; four arms; conch, discus, mace, and bowlVaishnaviSouthwestSaturnEagleThiruvisanallur, ThirunaraiyurRohini, Hasta, ShravanaShivaUnmatthaGolden-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, pestle, and shieldVarahiWestMercuryHorseThiruveezhimizhalaiPunarvasu, Vishakha, Anuradha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada IndraKapālaShining yellow-complexioned; four arms; thunderbolt, noose, sword and bowlIndraniNorthwestMoonElephantThiruvirkudi, Pushpavaneswarar templeBharani, Purva Ashadha, Purva PhalguniChandraBheeṣhānaBlood red-complexioned; four arms; sword, skull cup, trident, and pestleChamundaNorthKetuPretaRameswaram, PiranmalaiArdra, Svati, Shatabhisha, Ashvini, Magha, MulaYamaSaṃhāraLightning-yellow-orange-complexioned; ten arms; trident, drum, conch, mace, discus, sword, bowl, skull-topped staff, noose, and goadnarasimhiNortheastRahuLionThiruvenkadu, Kolli Hills, Vairavanpatti, HosurAshlesha, Jyeshtha, RevatiHindu deities
Temples All eight of the Ashta Bhairavas are featured at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi, Sri Kamanada Ishwarar Temple, Aragalur, Sri Mahabhairavar Rudra Alayam, Chengalpattu.
References
See also
Ashta Lakshmi Ashtamangala Ashtavinayaka Ashtabharya
External links Ashta Bhairavas List