Kaal Bhairav is a Hindu deity, a fierce manifestation of Shiva which is associated with annihilation. Kaal Bhairav temples can be found around Shakti Peethas-- significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations which are traced to 108 by various accounts. Lord Shiva allocated the job of guarding each of the Shakti Peethas to one Bhairava. They are in fact considered as the appearance of Shiva himself. There are number of  Bhairava temples in India, situated at different parts of the country. Kaal Bhairav Temple of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh is the most unique temple among them, where liquor offerings are made to the divinity. It is located on the banks of the Shipra river and is known to be the guardian deity of the city. The shrine is one of most active temples in the city, visited by hundreds of devotees daily. On this Mahashivratri, lets look at the mysterious facts of Kaal Bhairav Temple in Ujjain.

Video of Kaal Bhairav drinking alcohol

Liquor is one of the offerings made to the temple idol. Small and big liquor bottles and other puja items are available outside the temple and Shivbhakts buy them and offer to the deity. It sounds unbelievable right? But at this beautiful corner, every day the temple ritual starts with the devotee buying a bottle of wine or hard liquor like rum or whisky and presenting to this manifestation of Shiva. The bottle is handed over to the priest along with other puja material; they will open the bottle to pour them into a shallow plate which is placed near the mouth of the idol. The priest takes the plate back once the liquor is finished. Yes, the content of the plate disappears!

It is a wonder where the alcohol gulps by the idol goes. No one knows where these hundreds of bottles of liquor dissolve, but this ritual has been happening since ages.

How do you define a stone Idol drinking several and sometimes hundreds of bottles of liquor in a single day? Is there any related mystery behind the act? Well, the facts are still unknown, but the temple is simply amazing. Science and reason may not agree, but believers say that Lord Bhairava has the miraculous power to swallow the liquor that devotees offer him. At any time of the day there is a steady stream of bhakts who offer alcohol to the statue that stands erect.

On the occasion of Mahashivratri, the temple will witness hundreds of devotees offering prayers to the God. City of Ujjain has been prominent with the beautiful paintings in the Malwa style of Indian tradition decorated the temple walls ages ago. You can watch live streaming of Ujjain's Mahashivratri aarti from Mahakaleshwar. 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 13, 2018 12:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).