Mahakala

Mahakala is a deity worshipped both by Hindu and Buddhists. He is seen at the entrance of every Buddhist monasteries of Kathmandu velley. He is said to be the protector of doctrine of Buddha Dharma. There are many forms of Mahakala, among them two armed, four armed, six armed and sixteen are being most popular one. In Nepalese Buddhist tradition two armed Mahakala is dark blue in color. He looks ferocious against blazing fire. Bedecked with bone ornaments and serpents, he wears a garland of severed heads and a crown of five skulls symbolizing the five types of defilements. His right hand holds Karti, symbolizing that he can eliminates ego and his left hand holds a kapala filled with blood symbolizing the subjugation of evil ones. He wears tiger skin symbolizing the purification of desire. He has three eyes symbolizing his clear comprehension of three times. His mouth is smeared with blood signifying that he is active in eliminating evils. It is said that wrathful Mahakala is the manifestation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. From the heart of Arya Avalokiteshvara emerged a dark blue HUN letter, which transformed into the instanceous protector of wisdom the "Mahakala". Buddha Amitabha proclaimed thus, "Son of the family, you shall have the strength of the wrathful Yama, Lord of death. You shall have the mountain sprits, the Yakshas, the devils and the demonesses as your messengers. You shall embody the great wrathful empowerments of the body, speech, mind, qualities and activities of all the Buddhas throughout the three times". Ever since Mahakala has remained as the doctrine Protector of all the Buddha fields.