{{Short description|Statue of Bhairava, avatar of Shiva}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} thumb|Sweta Bhairav '''Swet Bhairav''' is a statue of Bhairava, avatar of Shiva located in Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu Durbar Square.<ref>{{cite news |title=These 16 photos of Indra Jatra will transport you to another era |url=https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2019/09/11/these-stunning-photos-of-indra-jatra-from-the-60s-will-take-you-to-another-era |access-date=23 August 2025 |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |date=19 September 2019}}</ref> '''Swet Bhairav''' depicts the most dangerous and fierce face of Lord Shiva. The mask of Swet Bhairab is so fierce looking that locals out of fear keep it inside a wooden frame window, and only one frame is opened for the devotees except for a special day: Indra Jatra when all the windows are opened. In the very day of Indra Jatra a wooden/ bamboo straw is placed in the mouth of the statue and rice liquor is siphoned as a ''prasad'' for the devotees. The alcohol if consumed is believed to bring good health and fortune via the blessings of Swet Bhairav.
Inside the wooden latticed screen, below '''Dega Taleju''' is hidden the terrifying face of '''Swet Bhairav'''. The giant sculpture was fashioned and installed in 1795, during the rule of Rana Bahadur Shah.
== References == {{Reflist}} Swet Bhairab (naya.com.np) thumb|Swet Bhairav inside wooden frame window
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Sweta Bhairav, Kathmandu}} {{portal|Nepal}}
Category:Sculptures of gods Category:Hindu temples in Kathmandu District Category:Culture of Nepal Category:Kathmandu Durbar Square Category:Nepalese sculpture Category:Bhairava temples
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