Goddess Bhairavi is an incarnation of goddess Shakti and is a popular deity in Hindu rural folklore and among tantric practitioners. She is believed to reside in the netherworld (Patal). She is one of the most ferocious forms of Goddess Shakti and is equated with the Kal Bhairava form of lord Shiva. She is also known as Shubmkari, Good Mother to Good People. It is believed that when goddess Bhairavi entered the battle field, her horrible appearance made the demons weak and very feeble, and the most of the demons started panicking as soon as they saw her. Goddess Bhairavi is seen mainly as the goddess Kali in the Durga Saptashathi version of slaying powerful demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. However, she also killed and drunk the blood of Chanda and Munda, so goddess Parvati gave her a boon that she would be called Chamundeshwari. She is shown holding weapons such as a trident axe and thunderbolt. 

Goddess Bhairavi embodies the principle of destruction. She is considered the consort of Bhairava,the fierce form of lord Shiva and is an ever-present goddess who embodies the destructive aspects of the world. Destruction is not always negative, creation cannot continue without it. Her complexion is red similar the thousands of rising-sun, wears smooth clothes and has a garland of heads roughly her collar. Goddess Bhairavi’s lips are depicted with blood and she has three eyes. Goddess Bhairavi is known as Durga, the Goddess who saves us from difficulties. Goddess Durga rides on a lion, a symbol of fire or solar energy, from which she wields her weapons of light to kill the demons or negative forces. She is one of the Mahavidyas.All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.