As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Kal Bhairav (or Kala Bhairava). The deity’s image is a face in form of a rock layered with kumkuma or vermilion. The deity’s silver head is adorned with a Maratha-style pagri, a tradition dating back to the days of Mahadaji Shinde.
The worship of Ashta Bhairava (“eight Bhairavas“) is a part of the Saivite tradition, and the Kal Bhairav is considered their chief. The worship of Kal Bhairav was traditionally popular among the Kapalika and Aghora sects, and Ujjain was a prominent centre of these sects.
Kal Bhairav is the guardian deity of Ujjain: he is considered Senapati (Commander-in-Chief or Chief General) of the town.
The present-day temple structure was built over the remains of an older temple. The original temple is believed to have been built by an obscure king named Bhadrasen. It has been mentioned in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana. Images of Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu and Ganesha belonging to the Paramara period (9th-13th century CE) have been recovered from the place. The temple walls were once decorated with Malwa paintings. However, only traces of these paintings are visible now.