Lord Bhairav

Bhairava, sometimes known as Kaala Bhairava is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with annihilation.

He is depicted ornamented with a range of twisted serpents,which serve as earrings,bracelets, anklets,and sacred thread (yajnopavita).He wears a tiger skin and a ritual apron composed of human bones.Bhairava has a dog (Shvan) as his divine vahana (vehicle).Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Devi who is virtually indistinguishable from Kali,with the exception of her particular identification as the consort of Bhairava.

Bhairava himself has eight manifestations i.e.Ashta Bhairava:
1.Asithaanga Bhairava
2.Ruru Bhairava
3.Chanda Bhairava
4.Krodha Bhairava
5.Unmattha Bhairava
6.Kapaala Bhairava
7.Bheeshana Bhairava
8.Samhaara Bhairava

Kala Bhairava is conceptualized as the Guru of the planetary deity Shani(Saturn).Bhairava is known as Bhairavar or Vairavar in Tamil where he is often presented as a Grama devata or village guardian who safeguards the devotee on all eight directions (ettu tikku).Known in Sinhalese as Bahirawa,he protects treasures.

Design: Made in heavy shining brass.
Brass is well known for its grasping capacity. It grasps the divine spirit upto 30%, when compared to other metals. The spiritual vibrations are attracted towards these shining idols easily.
Dimensions: 6.75 inches (H) X 5.5 inches (L) X 2 inches (W) approx
Weight: 1.3 kgs

Importance of Idol worship: Idols are not the idle fancies of sculptors, but shining channels through which the heart of the devotee is attracted to and flows towards God.Though the image is worshipped, the devotee feels the presence of the Lord in it and pours out his devotion unto it. Regular worship, Puja and other modes of demonstrating our inner feeling of recognition of Divinity in the idol unveils the Divinity latent in it. This is truly a wonder and a miracle.The picture comes to life.The idol speaks.It will answer your questions and solve your problems.The God in you has the power to awaken the latent Divinity in the idol.The lives of Mirabai, Sant Tukaram, Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Shri Yogananda are a few instances to prove the point.They proved beyond doubt that idol worship has its own brighter side and through simple faith and intense devotion one can realize God through it.
Idols are the "finite representation of the Infinite".As per Vishnu Samhita (ch 29,v55-7),persuasively endorses the use of imagery (idols) and puts it: "Without a form how can God be mediated upon? If (He is) without any form, where will the mind fix itself? When there is nothing for the mind to attach itself to,it will slip away from meditation or will glide into a state of slumber.Therefore the wise will meditate on some form, remembering,however,that the form is a superimposition and not a reality."