Nepal is well-known for its temples and historical sites. We can find many temples inside the Kathmandu valley. While roaming around the Basantapur area, my eyes are often fixed on one temple, Aakash Bhairav located in Indra Chowk. I wanted to know about this temple as it is regarded as the God of the Sky or the Temple of Heaven.
According to the Newari culture, we call him "Aaju.". It was said that Yalamber's head was established in the valley as the giant face of Akash Bhairab. It is one of the different forms of Bhairava. According to the Mahabharat, Lord Krishna chopped off the head of Yalamber and dug inside Tek Dovan, presently called Indra Chowk. After that, the head transformed into stone itself, as we see it nowadays.
The giant head of Bhairab is taken outside once a year on the occasion of "Yenya" festival and blessed by the Kumari during Indra Jatra. During the ceremony, a large number of worshippers come to visit the temple and offer Pedas. People believe that starting a new business with the blessings of Akash Bhairab is a good idea.
A total of 23 important Pujas are done for the divinity all over the year, and different feasts are organized in the temple itself. Special worshipping and celebrations are done during Shivaratri, Fagu Purnima, Indra Jatra, and Kumari Jatra. It's a very magnificent temple to visit and get blessings from if you are around Indra Chowk.