Toliyasar Kala Bhairav Temple Sri Dungargarh,Rajasthan

Today is Kaal Bhairav Jayanti

Toliyasar Bheruji Temple (Kaal Bhairav Temple, Toliyasar) is a famous temple located in Toliyasar village, in the Dungargarh tehsil of Bikaner district, Rajasthan.

Deity Details

The main deity of the temple is Lord Bheruji (Kaal Bhairav), a powerful and protective form of Lord Shiva. The idol is made of black stone and depicts Lord Bheruji seated on his divine vehicle, the dog (Shvaan). Alongside the main deity, idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, and Nag Devata (Serpent God) are also installed in the temple. Devotees believe that Lord Bheruji protects them from evil forces, grants courage, and fulfills sincere wishes.

Temple Architecture

The Toliyasar Bheruji Temple is built in traditional Rajasthani architectural style, combining artistic craftsmanship with strong materials like brick, limestone, and cement, ensuring its durability. The sanctum (garbhagriha) houses the sacred black stone idol of Bhairav Baba. It opens into a large prayer hall (mandap) where devotees gather for bhajans, prayers, and discourses.

The temple complex is adorned with beautiful murals and carvings. The walls of the prayer hall and circumambulatory path (parikrama path) feature paintings of Hindu deities, stories from mythology, and the divine acts of Bhairavji, all of which inspire devotion and spiritual reflection. The main entrance is grand, with fine carvings and a gopuram-style tower, symbolizing a gateway to divine energy.

History

The origins of the temple trace back to ancient times, but its present form was built in the 15th century under the patronage of Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner. When he came to this region, he discovered a sacred cave worshipped by locals as the seat of Lord Bhairav. To preserve this holy site, he constructed a magnificent temple and enshrined the deity there.

Sthalapurana

1.The Legend of the Bhil King and the Rabbit

According to an ancient legend, long ago, a Bhil tribal king ruled over this area. One day, while hunting in the desert, he chased a rabbit that suddenly ran into a small cave on a hill. The king followed it inside, but the rabbit disappeared. Instead, he found a divine idol of Lord Bhairav, shining with divine light. Realizing this was no ordinary event, the king understood that the rabbit was a manifestation sent by Lord Bhairav to reveal His presence. From that day, the king began worshipping the deity at that sacred spot, which later became the site of Toliyasar Bheruji Temple.

2.The Legend of the Divine Dream

Another story tells that centuries later, a devotee of Lord Bhairav had a dream in which the Lord appeared and instructed him to build a temple at the spot where His idol was buried beneath the sands. Following the divine command, villagers dug the site and discovered the ancient idol of Bhairav Baba. Soon after the temple was built, people experienced miraculous blessings, and peace returned to the region. Since then, the temple has been a powerful seat of Bhairav worship, drawing devotees from far and wide.

Both these legends strengthen the belief that Lord Bheruji himself chose Toliyasar as His divine abode and continues to protect the land and its people.

Festivals

The temple celebrates Bhairav Ashtami and Maha Shivaratri with great devotion and joy. Thousands of devotees gather to perform special poojas, offer coconuts, red flowers, sweets, and traditional offerings like liquor, which is considered sacred to Lord Bhairav. Sundays and Amavasya (New Moon days) are especially auspicious for Bhairav worship. The temple also witnesses huge crowds during Navratri and local fairs, when devotees participate in bhajans, charity, and community feasts in a vibrant atmosphere of faith and devotion.