Kalabhairav Jayanti 2025: Date, Story, Significance, and Puja Method

Kalabhairav Jayanti, also known as ‘Mahakaal Bhairav Ashtami,’ is observed every year on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Margashirsha. This year, Kalabhairav Jayanti will be celebrated on November 12, 2025. On this day, Lord Shiva incarnated as Kalabhairav to protect the universe.

Kalabhairav Jayanti: Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Ashtami Tithi begins: November 11, 2025, at 11:08 PM
Ashtami Tithi ends: November 12, 2025, at 10:58 PM

Significance of Kalabhairav Jayanti

Lord Kalabhairav represents the fierce form of Lord Shiva. Devotees regard him as the destroyer of obstacles and fear. This festival holds great importance for devotees seeking relief from troubles, negative energies, and enemies. Scriptures describe Kalabhairav as the deity of immense powers, and worshiping him removes the fear of untimely death. In Kashi, Lord Vishwanath is known as the king, but his darshan remains incomplete without seeing Kalabhairav. Therefore, devotees call Kalabhairav the Kotwal (guardian) of Kashi.

Kalabhairav Puja Materials

For Kalabhairav Jayanti, devotees use a Kalabhairav idol or photo, Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar), mustard oil lamp, black sesame seeds, vermilion, rice grains, bel leaves, incense sticks, black clothes, jaggery, and dishes made from black gram for prasad.

Kalabhairav Jayanti – Puja Method

Devotees wake up early, bathe, and wear clean clothes. They clean the worship place, establish the idol of Lord Kalabhairav, take a vow, and meditate on him. They perform abhishek with Panchamrit and Ganga water. They offer vermilion, rice, and black sesame seeds. They light a lamp with mustard oil, offer black clothes, and present jaggery and dishes made from black gram. They chant “Om Kalabhairavaya Namah,” recite Kalabhairav Chalisa and Bhairav Stotra, and perform aarti. As Lord Kalabhairav’s vehicle is a dog, devotees feed dogs on this day.

Story of Kalabhairav

Ancient scriptures describe several stories about the origin and significance of Lord Kalabhairav. Once, Brahma, the creator, and Vishnu, the preserver, argued over who was superior. Lord Shiva observed their dispute and manifested a massive pillar of fire. He declared that whoever found its beginning or end would be considered supreme.

Brahma took the form of a swan and went upward, while Vishnu took the form of a boar and went downward. Vishnu admitted he could not find the end, but Brahma lied that he had found it. Shiva became enraged by Brahma’s arrogance and falsehood, and from his wrath, Kalabhairav emerged. Kalabhairav immediately cut off Brahma’s fifth head with his trident. Brahma’s pride vanished. Lord Shiva then appointed Kalabhairav as the Kotwal of Kashi and declared that whoever worships him in Kashi attains salvation.