Tag: Kaal Bhairav Jayanti

Every year, as the waning moon of the Hindu month of Margashirsha (November-December) casts its dark shadow across the sky, devotees of Lord Shiva observe a powerful and mysterious night – Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, the divine appearance day of Lord Kaal Bhairav, the ferocious manifestation of Mahadev himself.
It is believed that on this night, the cosmic energies vibrate with heightened intensity, and Shiva, in his most awe-inspiring form as the Lord of Time and Death, emerges to remind creation that even time has its master.
The Legend: When Shiva Became Bhairav
According to the Shiva Purana, the story of Kaal Bhairav’s birth begins in the heavenly city of Kashi, when the Trimurti – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – were engaged in a cosmic discussion about supremacy. In a moment of arrogance, Lord Brahma proclaimed himself the supreme creator, claiming that all beings and even time itself flowed from him.
Displeased by Brahma’s pride, Shiva manifested a fierce energy from his own being – a blinding flame that took the form of Kaal Bhairav, dark as a storm cloud, adorned with serpents, and carrying a trident, drum, and skull-bowl.
When Brahma continued to ignore Shiva’s warnings, Kaal Bhairav swiftly severed one of Brahma’s five heads – the symbol of ego and false knowledge. But for the act of taking a divine life, even Bhairav had to bear the burden of sin. With the skull of Brahma stuck to his hand, he roamed the three worlds as a penitent, until he reached Kashi, where the skull fell off – freeing him of the curse.
From that moment, Kashi (Varanasi) became known as the city of liberation, and Kaal Bhairav its eternal Kotwal (guardian or protector). Even today, devotees believe that one cannot reside in Kashi or achieve moksha there without the permission of Kaal Bhairav.
The Philosophy of Kaal Bhairav
The name Bhairav comes from the Sanskrit roots bh? (fear) and rava (sound) – yet, paradoxically, Kaal Bhairav is not to be feared, but to be revered. He represents the destruction of fear itself – the courage to face mortality, time, and illusion.
Kaal means “Time,” and Bhairav is “the transcendental energy beyond it.” Together, they symbolize the understanding that time devours all, and only awareness (Shiva) remains eternal.
In Shaiva philosophy, Kaal Bhairav is the force that cuts through ignorance and ego, awakening the seeker to the impermanence of worldly existence. His ferocity is not malice – it is the cosmic compassion that destroys falsehood, illusion, and arrogance, leaving only truth behind.
Worshipping Kaal Bhairav, therefore, is not an act of appeasement but of self-confrontation – the acceptance that birth and death are illusions in the cycle of time, and that the spirit remains untouched by both.
The Festival of the Fearless
Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, also known as Kalashtami, falls on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami (the eighth day of the waning moon) in the month of Margashirsha. On this sacred night, devotees observe fasts, night-long vigils, and rituals dedicated to Lord Bhairav.
Rituals and Observances
Fasting and purification: Devotees wake before sunrise, take a holy bath, and observe a strict fast throughout the day. The fast is believed to purify the body and mind, preparing one to receive Bhairav’s blessings.
Worship of Bhairav idols: At dusk, elaborate pujas are performed with offerings of mustard oil, black sesame, flowers, and black cloth – all symbolic of his dark and protective energy.
Offering of alcohol to the deity: In certain Shaiva traditions, a few drops of liquor (particularly country-made or desi) are ritually offered to Bhairav, signifying the offering of one’s delusion and attachment rather than indulgence.
Recitation of Bhairav Chalisa and Stotra: Devotees chant the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam composed by Adi Shankaracharya, an eight-verse hymn extolling the deity as the supreme destroyer of fear and ignorance.
Night vigil (jagran): Throughout the night, temples resound with chants of “Jai Kaal Bhairav!” as devotees meditate, light lamps, and reflect upon the transient nature of existence.
Sacred Abodes
Among all his shrines, Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi holds the highest reverence. Built in the ancient city that Bhairav guards, the temple remains open late into the night on Jayanti, drawing thousands of devotees. The deity here is depicted holding a trident and a severed head – a stark reminder of his cosmic role as the remover of ego.
Other important shrines include:
– Annapoorneshwari Temple Complex, Kashi: Where Kaal Bhairav stands as the guardian of the city’s spiritual energy.
– Kala Bhairava Temple, Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): One of the eight Bhairavas of the Ashta Bhairava tradition, worshipped with offerings of alcohol and red flowers.
– Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: Where Bhairav is venerated as a protector deity of Shiva’s Jyotirlinga.
In many Himalayan and South Indian temples, Bhairav is also regarded as the protector of tantric knowledge, and his Jayanti becomes a night of deep meditation, mantra sadhana, and introspection.
Symbolism: The Eternal Dance of Time
Every symbol associated with Kaal Bhairav is profoundly spiritual:
– The dog (Shvan) that accompanies him represents loyalty, humility, and the control of instincts.
– The trident (Trishul) symbolizes mastery over the three aspects of existence – creation, preservation, and destruction.
– The skull bowl (Kapala) signifies detachment from ego and the acceptance of life’s impermanence.
– His necklace of skulls represents the cycle of time – where every birth is followed by death, and every end leads to a new beginning.
In a deeper philosophical sense, Bhairav’s terrifying form reflects the inner energy of Kundalini Shakti, which when awakened, annihilates the ignorance that binds the soul to illusion.

Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, also known as Kala-Bhairav Ashtami or Bhairav Jayanti that falls on the eighth lunar day (Ashtami) in the fortnight of the Krishna paksha (waning phase of the moon) of every month in the Hindu calendar. This year, the festival falls on 22 November. Hindu devotees celebrate this auspicious festival to worship Lord Bhairav (“terrible”) a fearsome and wrathful manifestation of Lord Shiva. Different stories from Shiv Purana describe that Kaal Bhairav is the supreme Lord of ghosts, goblins, zombies, mutants, witches, and other magical creatures. Kaal Bhairav Jayanti is celebrated throughout India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This day is considered more auspicious if it falls on a Tuesday or a Sunday. Chanting of mantras and reciting Kaal Bhairav Katha (story) on this day, leads to success, develops a spiritual mind, and destroys enemies like anger, greed, and lust. One of the oldest and holy cities of India, Varanasi, celebrates a grand ceremony on the day of Bhairav Jayanti. Millions of pilgrims visit the temple of Lord Bhairav which is believed to be re-structured and build in the mid-17th century AD. Though Lord Kaal Bhairav appears as a fearsome and wrathful manifestation in many scriptures and Vedic textbooks, He is a highly benevolent form of Lord Shiva. Thus, pleasing Kaal Bhairav is very easy and can be easily done by chanting the Kaal Bhairav mantra with a pure heart.
Kaal Bhairav Puja Vidhi
The most appropriate and auspicious time to worship Kaal Bhairav is during the evening hours of a Sunday or a Tuesday. Hindu devotees visit a temple while carrying sacred materials such as coconut, flowers, sindoor, mustard oil, black sesame, etc to worship Kaal Bhairav.
– Devotees take an early morning bath and then start performing the puja.
– Most of the devotees visit a temple in the evening to worship all the three deities- Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, and Lord Kaal Bhairav.
– They offer flowers. Diyas, sweets, and fruits to the deities.
– After this, people worship Lord Kaal Bhairav with mantras and prayers.
– Once the puja is completed, devotees recite the Kaal Bhairav Katha (story”).
– Devotees stay up all night to listen to the stories of Lord Shiva and Lord Kaal Bhairav from a priest or an eminent speaker
– Devotees perform the Kaal Bhairav aarti during midnights with some traditional music along with conchs, bells, and drums.
– Devotees observe a full day fast and break the fast only after the midnight aarti with some fruits and Prasad
– As per teachings of sacred texts, Lord Kaal Bhairay rides on a dog. So, some devotees serve sweets and milk to the dogs.
Followings are few things that must be considered on this auspicious dav –
Do’s:
– Wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath.
– Do not hurt dogs, instead offer them milk, sweets, and other foods.
– Visit a temple of Kaal Bhairav or Lord Shiva.
Don’ts:
– Do not sleep during the daytime, you may incur financial losses.
– Avoid eating any type of food (other than fruits) during a fast on Kalashtami.
– As per expert’s opinion, it is a sin to worship Kaal Bhairav for the destruction of your enemies.
Mantras to chant during the puja
A devotee should chant Kaalbhairava Ashtakam on this day to please Lord Bhairav. By chanting this Ashtakam one can realize the true meaning of life and can free himself from grief (shoka), attachment and delusion (moha, maya), poverty (garibi), greed (lobha), anger (kopa), and sufferings (pida).
Kaal Bhairav Mantra
“Hrim batukaya apadudharanaya kuru kuru batukaya hrim.”
“Om hreem vam vatukarasa Apaduddharaka vatukaaya hreem”
“Om Hraam Hreem Hroom Hrime Hroum Ksham Kshetrapaalaava Kaala Bhairavaaya Namaha”
Raal Bhairav Gayatri Mantra
Om Kaalakaalaaya Vidhmahey, Kaalaatheethaaya dheemahi, Thanno Kaala Bhatrava Prachodhayaath.
Kaal Bhairav Beeja Mantras
“Om aim hraam kleem shri batukbhairavaya”
Significance
Lord Shiva had taken several incarnations. But one of the most fearsome avatars of Lord Shiva is the Kaal Bhairav. The worship of Kaal Bhairav with complete devotion fulfils all the desires of a devotee.
– Evidences from Hindu mythology describes that those who worship Lord Kaal Bhairav and observes fast on His Jayanti help themselves to get relieved from all their sins as well as to bring victory in all spheres of life
– On this holy day, the chanting of Bhairav Asthak with devotion destroys the frightening dreams and brings success in all endeavors
– It is believed that performing Kaal Bhairay puja before any marriage ceremony, childbirth, or any auspicious work helps to destroy all obstacles.
– Astrologers advocate that observing fast on this day eliminates all “Shani and Rahu doshas from the Kundali of a devotee
Legend
Kaal Bhairav Jayanti is one of the holy festivals that possesses immense significance and importance for the followers of Lord Shiva. Bhairav is considered as a manifestation of Shiva’s wrath. According to the Hindu scriptures, one day the trinity of Gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma were discussing their supremacy and power. But eventually, the discussion had gone at such an extreme level that the great rishis and sages were called to suggest a solution. After giving deep thought and several discussions they came up with a suggestion, Lord Brahma expressed his concern and rejected that suggestion. Seeing this behaviour of Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva felt slighted by the remarks made by Brahma and got angry as that was an insult to him. Suddenly, Lord Kaal Bhairav, a fearful incarnation of Lord Shiva appeared from His forehead and chopped up one head out of the five heads of Lord Brahma. Since that day, Hindu devotees celebrate Kaal Bhairav Jayanti and offer prayers to get bestowed with success, good health as well as to get rid of all their accumulated sins.