Kala Bhairava is revered as the guardian of dharma, the protector at thresholds, and the keeper of time. Across Karnataka, Bhairava shrines serve devotees seeking courage, protection, and resolve. You’ll find major centers at Adichunchanagiri and city temples in Bengaluru (RR Nagar, Jadigenahalli), coastal kshetras around Mangaluru, and historic stops in Kolar, Bidar, and the Yana forest belt.
This guide focuses on what worshippers need: key darshan hours, important days (especially Kalashtami—the Krishna Paksha Ashtami each month), common sevas (archana, deeparadhane), festival highlights, dress/etiquette, and travel notes. Offerings typically include coconut, flowers, garlands, lemons, and archana slips; Saturdays, Amavasya evenings, and Kalashtami draw larger crowds.
📜 Quick Guide to Kala Bhairava Temples in Karnataka (Darshan & Sevas)
A practical snapshot—where they are, when to visit, and what devotees look for. (Local boards may update timings; check on arrival.)
🛕 1. Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy, Adichunchanagiri — Peetha & Pilgrim Hub
The Adichunchanagiri hills form one of Karnataka’s best-known Bhairava centers, anchored by the Adichunchanagiri Math. Devotees come for courage, protection, and resolve—offering coconuts, flowers, and lemon garlands to the fierce guardian with the dog as his vahana. Evenings often see alankara and deeparadhane, and monthly Kalashtami brings larger crowds from across the state.
| Temple Name | Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple, Adichunchanagiri |
| District | Mandya |
| Nearby Place | Bellur Cross (NH 75), Nagamangala; Adichunchanagiri Math campus |
| How to Reach | From Bengaluru/Mysuru via NH 75 to Bellur Cross; hill road up to the Math/temple. Buses to Nagamangala; autos/jeeps onward. Parking available near the complex. |
| Google Maps | Directions to Adichunchanagiri Kalabhairaveshwara Temple (opens in new tab) |
🛐 Key Sevas & Days
- Kalashtami (monthly) and Saturdays draw the biggest crowds; Amavasya evenings are also popular.
- Common offerings: archana slips, coconuts, flowers, lemon garlands; deeparadhane and evening alankara are frequent.
- Dress modestly; follow queue instructions and photography rules posted inside the complex.
- Darshan hours may change on festival days—check the notice board on arrival.
🧭 Quick Tips
- Arrive before sunset for easier parking and to attend the evening aarti.
- Carry small change for archana/prasada; footwear stands can get busy during Kalashtami.
- Elderly devotees can use the gentler ramped approaches within the campus—ask volunteers for directions.
🛕 2. Kalabhairaveshwara, Rajarajeshwari Nagar — City Shrine & Saturday Sevas
A popular Bengaluru-city kshetra where devotees seek protection and resolve, especially on Saturdays and Kalashtami. Expect steady queues in the evening for archana and deeparadhane; parking and approach roads get busy on new-moon days.
| Temple Name | Kalabhairaveshwara Temple, Rajarajeshwari Nagar |
| District | Bengaluru Urban |
| Nearby Place | Rajarajeshwari Temple area; Mysuru Road / NICE Road junctions |
| How to Reach | City buses/ride-hailing via Mysuru Road; quickest approach from RR Nagar arches. Weekends: arrive early evening. |
| Google Maps | Directions to Kalabhairaveshwara (RR Nagar) |
🛐 Key Sevas & Days
- Saturdays, Kalashtami, and Amavasya evenings are busiest.
- Archana, deeparadhane, lemon/coconut offerings; dog-vahana motifs common at the sanctum.
🧭 Quick Tips
- Parking tight on weekends; use public transport or arrive before sunset.
- Follow queue ropes; check notice board for special aarti timings.
🛕 3. Mahakala Bhairava, Karamogaru (near Gurupura) — Coastal Evening Deeparadhane
A Dakshina Kannada village temple with a strong local following. Evenings often see focused deeparadhane; devotees bring coconuts, lemons and garlands, seeking protection and steady mind under Bhairava’s gaze.
| Temple Name | Mahakala Bhairava Temple, Karamogaru (Gurupura region) |
| District | Dakshina Kannada (Mangaluru taluk) |
| Nearby Place | Gurupura; Mangaluru city outskirts |
| How to Reach | Drive from Mangaluru via Gurupura; last stretch on local roads. Check local boards for festival-day traffic control. |
| Google Maps | Directions to Mahakala Bhairava (Karamogaru) |
🛐 Key Sevas & Days
- Kalashtami, Saturdays, Amavasya evenings.
- Archana, deeparadhane; locals may guide you through offerings and line systems.
🧭 Quick Tips
- Roads are narrow near the temple—park where directed by volunteers.
- Carry small notes/UPI ready for archana slips and prasada.
🛕 4. Bhairava Shrine (Kadri/Jogi Mutt Precinct) — Hill Steps & Kadri Circuit
Within the wider Kadri–Jogi Mutt sacred circuit in Mangaluru, Bhairava is venerated as a guardian aspect. Many devotees combine Bhairava darshan with Kadri Manjunatha and nearby Naga shrines, especially on Saturdays and Kalashtami.
| Temple/Shrine | Bhairava Shrine, Kadri/Jogi Mutt area |
| District | Dakshina Kannada (Mangaluru city) |
| Nearby Place | Kadri Manjunath Temple; Kadri Park; Jogi Mutt |
| How to Reach | City autos/buses to Kadri; short hill steps to the precinct. Pair with Kadri darshan in one visit. |
| Google Maps | Navigate to Kadri precinct (then follow local signs to the Bhairava shrine) |
🛐 Key Sevas & Days
- Saturdays and Kalashtami see higher footfall.
- Offerings similar to Kadri: archana slips, flowers, coconuts; follow precinct rules.
🧭 Quick Tips
- Respect separate queues for different shrines inside the precinct.
- Footwear stands are near the base of the steps—carry a small bag if needed.
🛕 5. Shree Kala Bhairava, Jadigenahalli (Hoskote) — Commuter-Belt Kshetra
East of Bengaluru near Hoskote, this easy-to-reach temple serves office-goers and families alike. Saturdays and Kalashtami evenings offer a calm, devotional vibe with steady archana and aarti.
| Temple Name | Shree Kala Bhairava Temple, Jadigenahalli (Hoskote) |
| District | Bengaluru Rural |
| Nearby Place | Hoskote town; Old Madras Road corridor |
| How to Reach | Drive via Old Madras Road towards Hoskote; local signboards to Jadigenahalli. Ample roadside parking on regular days. |
| Google Maps | Directions to Kala Bhairava (Jadigenahalli) |
🛐 Key Sevas & Days
- Saturdays and monthly Kalashtami with archana and evening deeparadhane.
- Offer lemons, flowers, coconuts; ask counter for specific seva slips.
🧭 Quick Tips
- Early evening is calmer before office-hour crowds arrive.
- Carry exact change for slips/shoe stand to speed things up.
🛕 6. Seethi Bhairaveshwara Swamy, Kolar District — Hill-Edge Jatre Vibes
On the historic routes east of Bengaluru, this regional kshetra sees village fairs and seasonal jatre. The setting near hill edges and fields adds a quiet, devotional mood outside festival days.
| Temple Name | Seethi Bhairaveshwara Swamy Temple (Kolar district) |
| District | Kolar |
| Nearby Place | Kolar town; Mulbagal corridor |
| How to Reach | Drive from Kolar/Mulbagal; follow local signboards. Festival days bring traffic diversions—ask volunteers. |
| Google Maps | Directions to Seethi Bhairaveshwara (Kolar) |
🛐 Key Sevas & Days
- Village jatre dates, Saturdays, and Kalashtami evenings.
- Archana, deeparadhane; check board for special alankara.
🧭 Quick Tips
- On fair days, carry water and expect longer queues; rural eateries are limited.
- Watch footing near hill edges during monsoon.
🛕 7. Kaala Bhairava, Dubalgundi (near Humnabad) — Deccan Route Stop
A northern Karnataka stop where travelers and locals alike offer prayers for safe journeys and steady mind. Seasonal fairs add color; evenings bring lamps and bells as devotees queue for archana.
| Temple Name | Kaala Bhairava Temple, Dubalgundi (near Humnabad) |
| District | Bidar |
| Nearby Place | Humnabad town; Deccan highway corridor |
| How to Reach | Reach Humnabad by road; local autos/buses to Dubalgundi. Roadside parking fills on festival days. |
| Google Maps | Directions to Kaala Bhairava (Dubalgundi) |
🛐 Key Sevas & Days
- Kalashtami, Saturdays, local jatre dates.
- Archana, deeparadhane; check counter for special sevas.
🧭 Quick Tips
- Plan fuel/food stops along the highway; shade is limited near the complex.
- Evening aarti is atmospheric—arrive 30–40 minutes earlier to find parking.
🛕 8. Kaala Bhairava Shrine (Yana Region) — Forest Trail & Cliff Ambience
Near the famous Yana rock formations in Uttara Kannada, devotees visit a Bhairava shrine along the forest approaches. The setting—cliff faces, tree shade and cool air—adds a contemplative mood to Saturday and Kalashtami offerings.
| Shrine | Kaala Bhairava Shrine, Yana region |
| District | Uttara Kannada |
| Nearby Place | Yana caves/rock formations; Sirsi–Kumta route |
| How to Reach | Approach by road toward Yana parking; short forest trail on foot. Start early to return before dark. |
| Google Maps | Navigate to Yana (follow local signs to Bhairava shrine) |
🛐 Key Sevas & Days
- Saturdays and monthly Kalashtami are preferred by devotees.
- Carry simple offerings (flowers, coconuts); respect forest rules—no littering.
🧭 Quick Tips
- Wear shoes with grip; trails can be damp under tree cover.
- Mobile signal fluctuates—download maps or take a local guide if unsure.
Other Kala Bhairava Temples in Karnataka
Sri Kala Bhairaveshwara Swamy, kubbonpete (Bengaluru) — central-city shrine with morning & evening darshan.
Shree Bhyraveshwara Temple, Totanahalli (Nelamangala Taluk, Bengaluru Rural) — hill/hamlet setting; local jatre days are lively.
Kala Bhairava Temple, Panchavati Road (Gadag) — town-side kshetra near the bus stand; simple, steady worship.
Sri Kala Bhairava Swamy, Settikere (Chikkanayakanahalli, Tumakuru) — district temple; Kalashtami and Saturdays draw more devotees.
Kala Bhairava at Sitti Betta (Kolar district) — hilltop twin-complex with Sri Patishwara; short climb with wide views.
Kalabhairaveshvara Temple, Guthi village (Mudigere Taluk, Chikkamagaluru) — Malenadu route stop; rural approach roads.
Nanhya Bhairaveshwara Temple, Byrapura (Mudigere Taluk, Chikkamagaluru) — village shrine; evening aarti atmosphere.
Sri Kala Bhairava Prasanna Temple, Doddaballapura (Bengaluru Rural) — commuter-belt access; Saturday sevas and deeparadhane.
Planning Your Kala Bhairava Darshan in Karnataka
From the hill campus of Adichunchanagiri to city shrines in Bengaluru, coastal kshetras around Mangaluru, and routes through Kolar, Bidar and the Yana forest belt, these temples serve devotees seeking courage, protection, and steady resolve. Saturdays, Kalashtami (Krishna Paksha Ashtami each month) and Amavasya evenings draw the largest crowds; common offerings include coconuts, flowers, lemon garlands, and archana slips.
Build your yatra in easy loops: Bengaluru circuit (RR Nagar ↔ Jadigenahalli), a Mandya day trip to Adichunchanagiri, a Mangaluru circuit (Karamogaru + Kadri/Jogi Mutt precinct), or a Deccan–Ghats run (Dubalgundi ↔ Yana region). Aim for early mornings or arrive before sunset to join the evening deeparadhane.
- Best time: Early morning for calm darshan; evenings for alankara/deeparadhane. Forest/hill shrines—finish before dark.
- Key days: Saturdays, monthly Kalashtami, and Amavasya (check local notice boards for special sevas).
- Etiquette: Modest dress; remove footwear; follow queue ropes; ask before photography.
- Offerings: Flowers, coconuts, lemons; carry small change/UPI for archana slips and prasada.
- Travel tips: Weekend parking is tight at city shrines; rural roads can be narrow—drive slowly and follow volunteer directions.
- Monsoon safety: Steps and rock paths get slippery—shoes with good grip help.