Kaal Bhairav Temple in Ujjain is famous due to the offering
to the deity – liquor. The shrine is located on Jail Road on the banks of
Shipra River. The deity worshiped here is the Kalabhairava form of Shiva.
The murti of Kalabhairava is a large red head with eyes and
a crown and is carved out of a single stone. It is erected majrestivally on a raised
platform and is fitted on to a wall. Liquor is offered through a thin opening
in its mouth. Liquor poured onto a flat plate is, gradually, tippled by the
idol with the help of an attendant priest. Devotees say that no one knows where
the alcohol goes.
Kalabhairava Temple, hectogonal in shape, is like a fortress
with steps leading to a nail-studded gate set in a wall encircling the shrine. The
temple architecture shows influence of Marathas. There is a large, black,
light-tower in the temple. It has 216 stone lamps.
Other deities worshipped in the temple are Vithal, Shiva,
Nandi and Patal Bhairavi.