Kal Bhairav, the Lord of Destruction. This fearsome 10-foot tall stone figure is another of the many aspects of Shiva. Atop his wide-eyed face is a crown decorated with human skulls. On his back is a human skin. The prostrate figure upon which Kal Bhairav is standing represents human ignorance. It is also said that the prone figure is Kal Bhairav’s father-in-law, who insulted Shiva and caused his own daughter, Kal Bhairav’s wife, to commit suicide. Kal Bhairav has six arms, and in one of his hands he holds a skull cup that worshipers often toss coins into.
