Varanasi’s spiritual landscape lit up as Bollywood’s Sufi maestro Kailash Kher visited the revered Baba Kaal Bhairav Temple on Monday. The singer, famed for his gravelly timbre and bhakti-filled performances, bowed before Kashi’s divine watchman, seeking blessings in a deeply moving ceremony.
During the evening puja, Kher, adorned with chandan, rudraksha mala, and floral offerings, broke into his popular track ‘Bam Bam Lahiri.’ The bhajan filled the temple premises, igniting joy among hundreds of pilgrims who clapped and chanted along, lost in the rhythm of devotion.
This ancient temple, dating back to the 17th century, honors Kaal Bhairav, Shiva’s wrathful avatar and the city’s eternal guardian. Devotees believe that darshan here is mandatory before visiting Vishwanath Jyotirlinga; otherwise, the journey remains unfulfilled. Its distinctive ritual of alcohol prasad sets it apart, attracting droves of faithful from across the globe year-round.
A versatile artist, Kailash Kher has dominated Hindi cinema with chartbusters including ‘Saiyaan,’ ‘Piya Ghar Aayenge,’ ‘Toba Toba,’ and ‘Yun Hi Chala Chal.’ His discography boasts Sufi-lok gems that have earned him the prestigious Padma Shri. Kher’s spiritual repertoire shines with compositions like ‘Shivo Ham,’ ‘Anadi Ananta,’ ‘Jai Jai Kedara,’ and soul-stirring renditions of traditional mantras.
This heartfelt tribute at Kaal Bhairav not only highlighted Kher’s piety but also reinforced the temple’s magnetic pull on celebrities and commoners alike, weaving modern melody into age-old rituals.