Varanasi: Known as the spiritual capital of India, Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi is a city where religion is supreme and the deep-rooted religious beliefs enjoy a stronghold.
However, there are times when such culture becomes a norm and not even government bodies are allowed to fall out of line with the beliefs of the masses.
One such tale emerged from Maidagin's Kotwali police station where Kaal Bhairva, who is believed to be the protector of the city, quite literally presides on the chair of the inspector and actually runs a functional police station.
Also referred to as 'Kotwal of Kashi, the locals say Lord Shiva himself appointed Kaal Bhairva as the mythical protector or law enforcer of the holy city of Varanasi.
Considering the sentiments rallying with the masses, an image of Lord Bhairva has been presiding at the chair of SHO in the Kotwali police station for ages and it is believed that he keeps an eye on the city. Regardless of who is designated at the post, the appointed official will always sit on a side chair and no one ever dares to break away from it.
The believers of Hindu mythology say that if anyone tries to remove the picture of the deity from its place, some serious tragedy occurs.
It is said that no one comes to Varanasi and goes out without the permission of this divine sentinel.
The locals say that every prominent government appointee is supposed to seek blessings of Lord Kaal Bhairva and then perform their work. Even parliamentarians, District Magistrates, Police Commissioners, mayors, legislators and other officials in top ranks religiously abide by the age-old tradition.
The current Station Officer-in-charge Sharad Chandra Tripathi also said that he has no intention of breaking the age-old trend." In my entire lifetime, I haven't seen anyone occupying the main chair. Lord Bhairva only operates the station. I perform my duties with the blessings of the lord and assist him in keeping a check at the place," he said.
