Center for South Asia Lecture Series

Though appearing as a timeless myth, Yalambar-Bhairav’s story of sacrificial decapitation is a response to the military victory of the Hindu Shah dynasty over the local Newar people in the 18th century: the Kirati people serve as a multiform of the defeated Newar population, Yalambar of the Newar Bhairav, and Krishna of the Hindu Shahs. Bhairav’s story represents a narrative response to this historical situation and its aftermath and re-situates Bhairav’s temple at the city’s true center.