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Nepal: The Kala Bhairav or Black Bhairav, a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva, Kathmandu (1996)

The Kala Bhairav or Black Bhairav is a 3m-high statue depicting a sword-wielding, terror-inducing manifestation of Shiva trampling on some unfortunate victim. Local lore has it that the image was found on the Nagarjun mountain on the western rim of the Kathmandu Valley and brought to its current place by King Pratapa Malla.

Once the image was set up in Durbar Square, royal courtiers had to swear oaths of allegiance in front of it and witnesses in criminal cases had to testify in its presence. It was believed that anybody telling lies in front of Kala Bhairav would immediately die. Kala Bhairav also demanded blood sacrifices and until today numerous animals are slaughtered in front of the figure during the festival of Dassain.

Bhairava sometimes known as Kala Bhairava, is a Hindu deity, a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation. He originated in Hindu mythology and is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains alike. He is worshipped in Nepal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand.