Kathmandu - Mahakala Bhairava Mandir

The shrine to Mahakala Bhairava on the west side of Tundikhel was founded by King Gunakama Deva, who wished to install a guardian deity on the outskirts of his city. Hindus worship Mahakala as a form of Bhairava, while to Buddhists he is the deity invoked by the Indian sage Nagarjuna, the guardian deity of the Swayambhu Stupa and of all bahals (which often have an image of the god above the entrance). It is said that Manjuvajra, an important Tantric priest, once saw Mahakala fly over the valley. Impressed by the powerful apparition he resolved to bring the deity to Kathmandu. He erected a devotional image and charmed the god into it with a mantra. But Mahakala begged to be let free, promising to return every Saturday - which is why most devotees visit the temple on that day.

Dharamsalas built as recently as 1934 encircle the three-storied temple on its platform. The devotional image, believed to be very old, is of black stone.