Kal Bhairav, also written as Kāla Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव, meaning 'frightful'), is a deity revered in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Within Shaivism, he is regarded as a powerful manifestation or avatar of Shiva. In the Kashmir Shaivism tradition, Bhairava represents the Supreme Reality and is considered synonymous with Para Brahman.
In wider Hindu usage, Bhairava is known by several epithets reflecting his iconography and associations. He is called Daṇḍapāni, meaning "he who holds the danda in his hand", as he is depicted bearing a rod or staff with which sinners are said to be punished. He is also referred to as Śvāśva, meaning "he whose vehicle is a dog", reflecting the dog as his customary mount and companion in iconographic representations.
In Vajrayāna Buddhism, Bhairava is regarded as a fierce emanation of the bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. In this context he is known by names including Heruka, Vajrabhairava, Mahākāla and Yamantaka, each associated with particular wrathful forms and meditative practices within Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
Worship of Bhairava extends across a wide geographical and cultural range. He is venerated throughout India and Nepal, and is also part of religious traditions in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Japan, as well as in Tibetan Buddhism. His dual presence in Shaivite Hindu and Vajrayāna Buddhist contexts marks him as one of the deities shared across these traditions, with each interpreting his form, attributes and significance through its own theological framework.
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Bhairava: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairava