FestivalMargashirsha Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta)

Kalabhairav Jayanti 2027

कालभैरव जयंती

Kalabhairav Jayanti marks the appearance of Kala Bhairava, Shiva's fierce form and guardian of Kashi, with night puja, fasting and the feeding of dogs.

Next: Monday, 30 November 2026

Quick answer

Kalabhairav Jayanti 2026 falls on Monday, 30 November 2026 (Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami (purnimanta)).

Dates follow the Delhi panchang and can shift by a day in your region, so confirm the muhurat with a local panchang.

Kalabhairav Jayanti 2027 falls on Saturday, 20 November. Held on the eighth day of the dark half of Margashirsha, it marks the appearance of Kala Bhairava, the fierce form of Shiva who is lord of time (kala) and guardian of the sacred city of Kashi. Devotees fast, keep a night vigil and worship Bhairava with mustard-oil lamps, black sesame and flowers, and feed dogs, his vahana. It is also called Bhairav Ashtami and Kalashtami.

Kalabhairav Jayanti 2027 date

Kalabhairav Jayanti 2027 is on Saturday, 20 November 2027 (Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami, purnimanta). In 2026 it falls on Monday, 30 November. Worship is traditionally done at night, during the nishita kaal; check a local panchang.

The story of Kala Bhairava

The Shiva Purana tells that once Brahma, then five-headed, claimed to be supreme and spoke with arrogance towards Shiva. From Shiva’s anger arose Bhairava, who cut off Brahma’s fifth head with his fingernail. Because this was the sin of brahmahatya, the skull stuck to Bhairava’s hand, and he wandered the worlds as a mendicant, carrying it as a begging bowl. Only when he entered Kashi did the skull fall away, at the spot honoured as Kapal Mochan. Shiva then made Bhairava the kotwal, the guardian, of Kashi, and tradition says that no one may live in or leave the city without his permission.

How Kalabhairav Jayanti is observed

Night puja: Bhairava is worshipped with mustard-oil lamps, black sesame, urad, flowers and coconut, and the Kalabhairav Ashtakam is recited.
Fast and vigil: many fast through the day and stay awake at night.
Feeding dogs: dogs, Bhairava’s vahana, are fed sweet rotis and milk.
Temples: the Kaal Bhairav temples of Varanasi and Ujjain draw large crowds; in Ujjain the deity is offered liquor as prasad by old tradition.

The meaning of Kalabhairav Jayanti

Kala Bhairava humbles pride and protects the faithful. As lord of time, he reminds devotees that no power is permanent, and as Kashi’s guardian, he watches over those who seek refuge. See all festivals on the Hindu festival calendar.