Kalabhairav Jayanti 2025 – Importance, Observance, Date and Puja time and Rituals of the esteemed Kaal Ashtami

Kalabhairav Jayanti is considered as the most powerful and pious days by Hindus. The spiritual significance and power of Kalabhairav Jayanti or Kalashtami is considered very strong amongst Hindus. This Jayanti is a reverence to Bhagwan Kalabhairav or Lord Kalabhairav who is a very intense and ferocious avatar of Lord Shiva.

Bhagwan Shiv is said and believed to be the guardian and protector of time, or Kala and of the whole Universe and thus his avatar is called Kalabhairav. This pious day is observed on Ashtami which is the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha of the lunar phase in the Margashirsha mahina of the Hinudu Calendar.

This year in 2025, Kalabhairav Jayanti will be celebrated on the Wednesday, the 12th of November, 2025.

Tale of Kalabhairav Jayanti

As per Hindu tales and scriptures Lord Kalabhairav is a true representation of justice and balance in nature. The legendary tale states that it once so happened that a cosmic deliberation between the Divine Trinity which is Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva or Mahesh. Like many other ego clashes, even here also Lord Brahma was not convinced as to why Lord Shiva is considered supreme.

In order to restrain and suppress Lord Brahma’s ego and pride, Lord Shiva took the avatar of Kalabhairav. Kalabhairav is the most ferocious and ruthless avatar which represents time, annihilation, obliteration and virtue. It was in this avatar of his that Lord Kalabhairav cut and snapped one of the five heads of Lord Brahma which was a representation of his ego and pride, and the severance of this head symbolizes destroying of his ego.

Lord Brahma was a Brahmin, and severing the head of Lord Brahma was like killing a Brahmin. This act is called Brahmahatya, which is the sin of killing a Brahmin and Lord Kalabhairav was under the guilt of this act. In order to repent for this act, Lord Kalabhairav meandered the cosmos with the severed skull of Lord Brahma in his hands.

This straying of his continued till he reached the pious and auspicious city of Varanasi or Banaras or as many know it Kashi. The second he put his foot in the pious city the sins committed by Lord Kalabhairav were cleansed and sanctified. It was since then that Kashi became popular as the home of Lord Kalabhairav. Lord Kalabhairav started serving as the Guardian or the Kotwal of Varanasi and since then Kalabhairav Jayanti starting being observed.

Spiritual Importance and Significance of Kalabhairav Jayanti

Kalabhairav Jayanti is not just a day of observance and puja, it is a testament of the ephemeral and momentary nature of time and the need and value of virtue and integrity. It is believed that worshipping Lord Kalabhairav enables one to conquer fear and anxiety, welcomes positivity, pushing away negativity and helps one attain spiritual enlightenment.

Lord Kalabhairav is the Governing God of the Planet Shani (Saturn) and Planet Rahu (shadow planets), and worshipping Lord Kalabhairav on the day of Kalabhairav Jayanti makes this day even more important for who are going through planetary distress.

Apart from this, Lord Kalabhairav is also the Lord of Time or Kaal, and it is believed that if one worships him on Kalabhairav Jayanti or has stern belief in him, they will be showered with better control over their time and destiny. It is said that Lord Kalabhairav protects travelers and guards them from negativity and evil energies and make sure that the righteousness always gets rewarded.

It is believed that worshipping Lord on Kalabhairav Jayanti breaks the barriers of ignorance and pride and opens up the path pf truth, knowledge and justice.

Rituals and Worship on Kalabhairav Jayanti

The traditions of Kalabhairav Jayanti start really early in the morning and go on till late night as it is considered that Lord Kalabhairav is most glorious during the late nighttime. Those following this day keep very strict vrat or fasts on this day, perform Puja and recite Kalabhairav mantras on this day.

Generally the day is observed in the following way:

1. Early Morning Bath: Do wake up at dawn, i.e. before sunrise and take a bath. It is considered best if one can take a dip in Holy River Ganga. If taking a bath in River Ganga is not possible do make sure to put a few drops of Ganga Jal in your bath water. This is symbolic of purification and cleansing.
2. Worship of Lord Shiva and Kalabhairav: Black sesame seeds, mustard oil, flowers, and sweets should be offered to Lord Kalabhairav and Lord Shiva on this day. The Vahana or vehicle of Lord Kalabhairav is a black dog and feeding black dogs on this day is also a part of the ritual.
3. Reciting Mantras: Chanting Kalabhairav Ashtakam is considered highly pious. The mantra “Om Hreem Bhairavaya Namah” should be continuously chanted.
4. Jagran or Jagrata: Worshippers stay awake through the night and light diyas and pray throughout the night. Devotees stay awake through the night. Lord Shiva and Bhairav temples remain open throughout the night and prayers go on through the night.
5. Feeding Dogs and the Poor: Feeding black dogs which are symbolic of Lord Kalabhairav’s vehicle or Vahana and offering food to the needy and poor is considered very sacred ritual and tradition. This symbolizes gratitude, empathy and humility.
6. After the rituals, the ones who had observed Nirjala fast on Kalabhairav Jayanti break their fast with satvik food — usually kheer, poori, sabzi, and fruits.
7. Some also offer bhang, liquor, and meat at specific Bhairav temples, especially in Ujjain and Varanasi. But these practices are only specific to these temples.

Kalabhairav Jayanti Time

As per Drig Panchang, the Ashtami Tithi for Kalabhairav worship, begins on Tuesday, the 11th of November, 2025, at 11.08 p.m. The Tithi ends on Wednesday, the 12th of November, 2025 at 10.58 p.m.

Grand Celebrations of Kalabhairav Jayanti

Thought the celebrations of Kalabhairav Jayanti are not restricted by boundaries, some areas celebrate it in a grander way:

• Kashi (Varanasi or Banaras): The Kashi Kalabhairav Temple his the oldest and most honored place of worship. There is a belief that Dham Yatra or pilgrimage is incomplete without visiting Lord Kalabhairav’s shrine.
• Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): The Kal Bhairav Temple which is situated on the banks of the Shipra River is also a revered temple. Alcohol or Liquor is the prasad here which is symbolic of detachment from worldly relations.
• Annakoot and Bhairav Mandirs in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh are also amongst the temples which are hugely thronged by worshippers on the occasion of Kalabhairav Jayanti for offering Puja.

The Message of Kalabhairav Jayanti

Kalabhairav Jayanti is a reminder of natural justice, of the need and importance of virtue and righteousness. It reminds us that time waits for none and that Kaal ka Chakra never atoops it keeps moving and is eternal.

Time is the ultimate power — once lost, it cannot be reclaimed. This day reminds us of the importance of thinking before acting and acting responsibly whenever we act as it has consequences. Lord Kalabhairav is a true symbol of how virtue wins over false and arrogance and how humility and agility defeats pride and ego.

If one believes in Kalabhairav Jayanti and has ultimate faith and devotion in the divine and in the truth of time spiritual enlightenment and awakening can be achieved which should be the ultimate aim.