Bhairava is referred to as Kṣetra (territory) Pāla (guardian). This refers to His role as the protector of a territory, like a policeman.
In ancient folk cultures, the Kṣetrapāla is referred to as 'muṉṉaṭiyāṉ' (in Tamiḻ). Muṉṉaṭiyāṉ comes from muṉṉaṭi ("ahead of" or "front"), because the muṉṉaṭiyāṉ are placed at the entrance of the shrine, typically facing the presiding deity.
