The Hindu pageant of Kalashtami or Kala Ashtami is devoted to Lord Bhairav, the fiery type of Lord Shiva. Kala Ashtami is noticed each lunar month on the Ashtami tithi (eighth day) throughout the Krishna Paksha or waning part of the moon. The Ashtami tithi after the complete moon (Poornima) is taken into account probably the most auspicious day to worship Lord Kaal Bhairav. On this present day, devotees observe a quick propitiating Lord Bhairav.
Though Kalashtami, also called Masik Kalashtami, happens 12 instances a yr and is called Kalabhairav Jayanti, the one noticed throughout the Margashirsha month is regarded as probably the most vital and auspicious. In line with the Gregorian calendar, this corresponds to November. On condition that today are reserved for worshipping Lord Bhairav, Kalashtami is regarded as extra auspicious if it falls on a Sunday or Tuesday. Kalashtami is a day of intense devotion and fervor for devotees all around the nation.
Kalashtami Vrat Dates in 2026
Kalashtami is noticed each month throughout the Ashtami tithi of Krishna Paksha. Beneath are the Kalashtami dates that will likely be noticed in 2026
| Month | Day | Kalashtami | Date & Time |
| 18-Jan-26 | Thursday | Magha Kalashtami | Begins – January 18, 09:12 AM |
| Ends – January 19, 11:32 AM | |||
| 17-Feb-26 | Saturday | Phalguna Kalashtami | Begins – February 17, 04:18 AM |
| Ends – February 18, 06:53 AM | |||
| 19-Mar-26 | Monday | Chaitra Kalashtami | Begins – March 18, 10:29 PM |
| Ends – March 20, 12:39 AM | |||
| 17-Apr-26 | Tuesday | Vaishakha Kalashtami | Begins – April 17, 02:37 PM |
| Ends – April 18, 03:56 PM | |||
| 17-Might-26 | Thursday | Jyeshtha Kalashtami | Begins – Might 17, 04:15 AM |
| Ends – Might 18, 04:34 AM | |||
| 15-Jun-26 | Friday | Ashadha Kalashtami | Begins – June 15, 03:32 PM |
| Ends – June 16, 02:57 PM | |||
| 15-Jul-26 | Sunday | Adhika Kalashtami | Begins – July 15, 12:59 AM |
| Ends – July 15, 11:41 PM | |||
| 13-Aug-26 | Monday | Shravana Kalashtami | Begins – August 13, 09:12 AM |
| Ends – August 14, 07:25 AM | |||
| 11-Sep-26 | Tuesday | Bhadrapada Kalashtami | Begins – September 11, 04:54 PM |
| Ends – September 12, 02:52 PM | |||
| 11-Oct-26 | Thursday | Kartika Kalashtami / Kalabhairav Jayanti | Begins – October 11, 12:52 AM |
| Ends – October 11, 10:56 PM | |||
| 09-Nov-26 | Friday | Margashirsha Kalashtami | Begins – November 09, 10:02 AM |
| Ends – November 10, 08:37 AM | |||
| 09-Dec-26 | Sunday | Pausha Kalashtami | Begins – December 08, 09:09 PM |
| Ends – December 09, 08:39 PM |
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Rituals performed throughout Kalashtami
The devoted followers of Lord Shiva consider that Kalashtami is a big and auspicious day to worship the fearsome incarnation of Lord Shiva generally known as Kala Bhairava. Let’s be taught the Kalashtami rituals to carry out to obtain Lord Shiva’s final blessings.
On Kalashtami, devotees rise early earlier than dawn to wash. Within the morning, in addition they perform particular pujas and rituals for his or her deceased ancestors. To obtain their divine blessings and have their sins atoned for, devotees worship Lord Kaal Bhairav alongside Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. All day lengthy, they strictly adhere to a quick. As it’s believed to be fortunate, ardent devotees additionally keep up all evening listening to and narrating tales of Kaal Bhairav and Lord Shiva. In addition they chant the Kaal Bhairav mantras and the Kaal Bhairav Katha. Aarti can be carried out at midnight to the accompaniment of drums, conches, and different conventional musical devices. The devotees are granted prosperity, happiness, and success of their lives by conserving a strict quick.
Additionally it is fortunate to present canines meals on Kalashtami day as a result of Lord Bhairav rides on a black canine. Canines are subsequently given milk, curd, and treats on this present day.
Moreover, it’s thought to be extraordinarily fortunate to feed the Brahmins in sacred locations of worship.
Kalashtami Vrat Puja Vidhi
- On Kalashtami day, devotees should get up earlier than the Brahma muhurta and, after having their bathtub, should take a vow to look at quick worshipping Kaal Bhairav, the Raudra (offended) type of Lord Shiva. Then, the devotees should observe a strict quick and worship Kaal Bhairav throughout the evening.
- They could go to the temple of Kaal Bhairav, if potential, throughout the evening. If there are not any temples within the close by neighborhood, they might set up an idol or image of Kaal Bhairav together with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi on a wood stool.
- Devotees supply coconut, imarti, liquor, paan, ochre, and so forth., to Kaal Bhairav.
- Mild a four-faced lamp in addition to an incense lamp. Apply tilak with kumkum and turmeric on everybody current and carry out the aarti.
- Choices of black gram and mustard oil are additionally made whereas worshipping Kaal Bhairav at evening.
- Recite the Shiva Chalisa and Bhairav Chalisa mantras and the Batuk Bhairav PanjarKavach.
- After the worship of Kaal Bhairav, supply milk or sweets to a black canine and worship the canine on the finish of the day.
- One has to Chant Bhairav Mantras 108 instances whereas worshipping Kaal Bhairav for optimum outcomes, as numbers maintain nice significance in Vedic tradition
Kalashtami Vrat Katha
Shiva Purana describes the start of Kaal Bhairav, who was born on Ashtami tithi of Krishna Paksha. It’s believed that by observing the quick and worshipping Kaal Bhairav, the worshipper positive factors success of their needs and mitigates their concern of occultism and witchcraft. Worshipping Kaal Bhairav additionally mitigates the unfavorable results of Nava grahas and their ominous results. Allow us to be taught the story behind the start of Kaal Bhairava.
Legend has it that there occurred an argument between Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva as to who was probably the most superior amongst them. Because the dispute didn’t conclude, a gathering of all deities was then known as to resolve the dispute. After a lot brainstorming, the deities arrived at a choice, and Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu agreed with the decision of the deities. Nevertheless, Lord Brahma was not glad, and he humiliated Lord Shiva. This angered Lord Shiva and led to the taking of the fierce type of Kaal Bhairav.
All of the deities had been shaken at this type of Lord Shiva. Kaal Bhairav descended on a black canine and attacked Lord Brahma, severing certainly one of Lord Brahma’s heads. With 4 heads left, Lord Brahma apologized to Lord Shiva to avoid wasting himself from the wrath of Kaal Bhairav. Lord Shiva got here again to his kind as soon as Lord Brahma apologized; nevertheless, the type of Kaal Bhairav needed to search penance for making an attempt to kill Brahma. Thus, Kaal Bhairav wandered far and huge for a few years and reached Varanasi, the place he washed off all sins, and moved on to higher fortunes.
Kalashtami Puja Mantras
||AthikruraMahakaayaKalpantaDahanopam
Bhairav NamastubhyamAnugnyaDaturmarhasi||
||Om Bhayaharanam Cha Bhairava:||
||Om Kalabhairavai Namaha||
||Om Hrim Bam BatukayaAapduddharanayKurukuruBatukayaHrim||
||Om BhramKaalaBhairavayaFatt||
The Eight Types of Kaal Bhairav
As Kaal Bhairav is reputed to be the bodyguard of all Shaktipeeths of Goddess Sati, his temple can steadily be present in these shrines. The preferred incarnations of Kaal Bhairav and Batuk Bhairav are each worshipped. Tantra Sadhana, then again, particulars the eight sorts of Bhairav, which go by the names of Bhishana Bhairava, Chandra Bhairav, Krodha Bhairav, Rudra Bhairav, Asitang Bhairav, Samhara Bhairav, Kapali Bhairav, and Unmath Bhairav. Devotees supply Bhairav rice, jaggery, Khichdi, and different choices. An individual who observes the Kalashtami quick is free of sorrows, diseases, and enemies.
Examine Akshaya Trititya
Significance of Kalashtami
Aditya Purana describes the importance of Kalashtami in worshipping Kaal Bhairav, generally known as the manifestation of Lord Shiva. ‘Kaal’ means time, and ‘Bhairav’ denotes the type of Lord Shiva. Therefore Kaal Bhairav is also called the ‘God of Time’. Staunch devotees of Lord Shiva additionally worship Kaal Bhairav. Kaal Bhairav is also called Mahakaleshwar or Dandadhipati. Kalashtami is a crucial day for devotees of Lord Kaal Bhairav to hunt his blessings for a peaceable and profitable life, and to honor the facility of time and future.
On Kaal Ashtami, devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali supply prayers and carry out rituals to hunt their blessings and safety. It’s believed that worshiping Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali on this present day helps to remove unfavorable power and obstacles from one’s life. Devotees additionally search their blessings for well being, prosperity, and safety from evil spirits.
In line with Hindu mythology, Kaal Ashtami additionally describes the form that Lord Shiva took as Mahakaleshwar or Kaal Bhairav in retaliation for the criticism he obtained from Lord Brahma. Since then, each devas and people have worshipped Kaal Bhairav to obtain Lord Shiva’s heavenly blessings. Worshiping Lord Bhairav, in keeping with devotees, purges one’s lifetime of all ache, struggling, and unfavorable influences. Moreover, it’s believed that by turning to Lord Kaal Bhairav, one can reduce the unfavorable results of Rahu and Shani doshas.
Learn About Kala Sarpa Dosha
