State’s only Batuk Bhairav Temple bonds Rajasthanis

Batuk Bhairav Nath Temple, the only temple of the deity in Punjab, holds profound significance among the people of Rajasthan. Located in Teacher Colony on Chuharpur Road in Haibowal, this temple has become a centre of faith, not only for the people of Ludhiana, but also for residents across the state. Built in 2021, the temple has played an important role in bringing together the Rajasthani community living in the industrial hub. Batuk Bhairav represents Shiva’s innocence in the form of a child, yet one that has unmatched cosmic power.

Manish Goyal, a native of Rajasthan and the chairman of Shri Batuk Bhairav Nath Mandir Committee, said the idol taken to Kodamdesar, Bikaner, in 2017 where after following the procedure of ‘pran pratishtha,’ it was installed at the temple in Ludhiana.

Goyal said every week, the deity is adorned by 10 to 15 devotees. The shringar usually last three to four hours. Businessmen Amit Nirwan and Kishan Dabby, who are executive members of the temple committee, are the perfect artists who adorn the deity every week. “Initially, a team from the Kodamdesar temple committee had come to carry out the shirngar of idol properly, which cost us a few thousand bucks. Later, the committee members themselves learned the art of shringar and have now become near perfect in adorning the deity,” said Goyal.

Temple committee members Gopal Khatri and Chand Rattan Asari said when the temple was officially opened, very few people visited. However, in just a few months thousands connected to the temple. “Nearly 2,000 people (mostly from Rajasthan) who live in the state are now regular visitors.

Temple cannot have roof

A peculiar feature of the temple is that it cannot have a roof or door. Even if the committee tries to install a roof, it does not stay intact for long. “Initially, when we had installed the idol, we had put up a temporary shed to protect the idol from any damage but that roof was blown away by strong winds. Since then we have never tried to install a roof or even a door around the divine form,” said Raj Gahlot, president; and Sumit Pediwal, general secretary of the temple committee.

Who is Batuk Bhairav Nath

Among the diverse manifestations of Lord Bhairav, Batuk Bhairav is considered the most benevolent and easily pleased, who can fulfil one’s wishes if prayed to with a pure heart.

Unlike the fierce Kaal Bhairav, Batuk Bhairav embodies a young child (Batuk), symbolising innocence, protection and divine grace. The Batuk (child) form of Bhairav is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. One can seek Batuk Bhairav’s aid for rapid fulfilment of wishes, protection from evil, financial success and the removal of planetary doshas. During an annual fair at the temple, whisky and cigarettes are offered to the please the deity and the same is later distributed among devotees in the form of prasad.

Ludhiana