Grand Bhairo Baba Bhandhara Concludes in Jammu, Thousands Attend

Mass Community Feast Marks End of Week-Long Festivities at Chowk Chabutra

JAMMU, November 13, 2025: The annual Bhairo Baba Bhandhara, a large-scale community feast, concluded today at the ancient Prachin Shri Bhairav Mandir located in Chowk Chabutra, Uppar Bazar, Jammu. The event marked the culmination of week-long religious celebrations for Shri Kaal Bhairav Ashtami.

Thousands of devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir participated in the Bhandhara (mass meal) to receive the blessings of Lord Kaal Bhairav, a fierce yet kind form of Lord Shiva. The event, overseen by the temple trust, is one of the largest annual community feasts in the region, reflecting deep spiritual devotion and community unity.

Spiritual and Social Significance

The Prachin Shri Bhairav Mandir at Chowk Chabutra is considered highly sacred, as the deity manifested there in the form of a natural pindi (a rock idol). Lord Kaal Bhairav is especially important as the Kul Devta (family deity) for approximately 52 different communities (Biradaris) in the region.

The Bhandhara is not just a religious offering; it acts as a major social gathering. For the entire day, the area, including Uppar Bazar and Dhounthly Bazar, was decorated with bright lights, flowers, and colourful buntings. 

Volunteers from the local business and trader communities played a major role, setting up various stalls. Besides the main meal, special arrangements were made for children, with dedicated stalls offering chocolates, juices and different eatables, reinforcing the festive atmosphere.

A temple official, speaking to the media, highlighted the event's core message: “Kaal Bhairav is believed to protect us from all troubles. The Bhandhara, which brings together people from all walks of life, showcases the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family).”