Kāl Bhairav Jayanti (Lord Kaal Bhairav jayanti )

divinetouchpune33
Nov 12
7 min read

Updated: Nov 14

Kāl Bhairav (Lord Kaal Bhairav)

Before delving into the festival, it’s helpful to first understand who Kaal Bhairav is, his significance, iconography and what he represents.

Who is Kaal Bhairav?

Kaal Bhairav is a fierce manifestation of Shiva — often described as his warrior or guardian aspect, particularly dealing with time (kāla), death, destruction of ignorance and ego. (The Indian Panorama)
The name: “Kaal” can mean “time” or “death/doom”, and “Bhairav” means “fearsome”, “terrible one”. So together he symbolises the destruction of fear, the transcendence of time and ego. (The Indian Panorama)
In one well-known legend: The gods Brahma and Vishnu argued over who was supreme. Shiva, unhappy with Brahma’s arrogance, created Kaal Bhairav (from his forehead) who cut off one of Brahma’s heads. Later, Bhairav was bound to wander as a penance until he reached Kashi (Varanasi) where he attained purification. (The Indian Panorama)
Kaal Bhairav is often considered the kotwāl (guardian/door-keeper) of Kashi (Varanasi), and more broadly a protector-deity who guards temples, removes negativity, and helps devotees transcend fear, death and ignorance. (The Indian Panorama)
His iconography: He is usually depicted with black or dark skin, holding a trident (trishul), a drum (damaru), sometimes a skull-cup (kapala), riding a dog (his vahana) etc. The dog symbolises loyalty, vigilance, the animal instincts subdued under the divine will. (The Indian Panorama)

Philosophical / spiritual significance

At the deeper level, worshipping Kaal Bhairav is symbolic for confronting one’s ego, illusions, the fear of death/time, and increasingly moving toward awareness of the eternal (Shiva) beyond time. (The Indian Panorama)
He is also invoked to remove obstacles, protect against black-magic or hidden enemies, and to assist in spiritual awakening. (The Times of India)

What is Kaal Bhairav Jayanti (or Bhairav Jayanti)

This is the festival commemorating the appearance (manifestation) or the “birth” of Kaal Bhairav. It is celebrated annually and holds particular importance among devotees of Shiva and Bhairav.

Date / Timing

The festival falls on the Ashtami Tithi (the 8th lunar day) of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) in the Hindu month of Margashirsha (north India) or Kartika (in some traditions). (Wikipedia)
For example, in 2025 it is observed on 12 November 2025, with the Ashtami Tithi beginning 11 Nov 11:08 PM and ending 12 Nov 10:58 PM (for New Delhi) as per Hindutva calendar. (Drik Panchang)
Different regions may use slightly different calendar systems (Amanta vs Purnimanta), but broadly the same day. (Drik Panchang)

Alternate names

The festival is also called Bhairava Ashtami, Kalabhairava Jayanti, Kalashthami. (Wikipedia)
Note: Kalashtami (or Kala-Ashtami) sometimes refers to any Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha dedicated to Bhairav; but the Jayanti is specifically the annual major festival. (Wikipedia)

Significance

It commemorates the day when Kaal Bhairav manifested (or was born) — the fierce form of Shiva who takes care of time, death, justice and protection. (The Times of India)
Devotees believe that on this day worshipping Bhairav will help overcome fears, remove obstacles, free from karmic debts, protect from evil / black magic, protect from untimely death or accidents. (The Times of India)
In temple tradition: Especially in places like Kashi (Varanasi) his temple plays a major role; Bhairav is the guardian of Shiva temples and grants permission for liberation (moksha). (The Indian Panorama)

The Legend in Detail

Here is the story frequently told in the Puranas and Shaiva traditions, summarised:

The gods Brahma and Vishnu argued over who was supreme. Brahma in his arrogance declared himself the greatest. Vishnu said otherwise. The matter escalated. (The Indian Panorama)
Shiva, displeased with this pride and chaos, manifested Kaal Bhairav from his forehead. Bhairav then cut off one of Brahma’s five heads — symbolically destroying the ego and false pride of Brahma. (Wikipedia)
Because Bhairav took the life of a Brahmin (in some versions Brahma’s head), he incurred the sin of Brahmahatya. He thus had to roam the three worlds as a mendicant, carrying the skull cup (kapala) until he reached Kashi where he was freed from the curse and became the guardian deity of Kashi. (The Indian Panorama)
Kashi hence became a very important place — “the city of liberation” — and Bhairav as its kotwāl (chief guard) is revered. It’s said one cannot gain moksha in Kashi without Bhairav’s permission. (The Indian Panorama)
The story symbolises destroying ego, facing impermanence (time/death), the karmic consequences of actions, and finding refuge in the divine.

Rituals and How the Festival is Observed

Here are typical observances, rituals and practices associated with Kaal Bhairav Jayanti:

Preparations & Fasting

Devotees take a holy bath early in the morning, purify home/temple space. (Prokerala)
Many keep a fast (vrata) through the day (or till night) on Ashtami; some stay awake at night (jāgaraṇa) listening to stories of Shiva/Bhairav. (Drik Panchang)
House and puja-room are cleaned and prepared; the deity image or idol is decorated. (The Times of India)

Puja (worship) specific rituals

Offerings (bhoga) to Bhairav typically include: mustard oil, black sesame seeds, black gram (kālī channa), jaggery/gud, black clothes, sometimes liquor (in certain tantric/shaiva contexts) as symbolic. (Wikipedia)
Mustard oil is a frequent offering because Bhairav is often associated with the dusk/night, darkness, etc. (The Indian Panorama)
Some traditions feed dogs, because the dog is Bhairav’s vahana; feeding or caring for dogs is seen as pleasing the deity. (Prokerala)
Recitation of specific mantras: for example:
“Om Kaal Bhairav aya Namah”“Hrim batukaya apadudharanaya kuru kuru batukaya hrim”and so on. (The Times of India)
In every prāhara (three-hour period) some traditions suggest offering arghya (water offering) three times, accompanied by Sanskrit mantras. (Drik Panchang)
Sometimes devotees stay awake all night, chanting, meditating, performing japa (mantra-recitation), listening to the Bhairav Stotra or Bhairav Ashtakam. (Drik Panchang)

Other customs and regional variations

Visiting a Bhairav temple: Many devotees go to the major Bhairav shrines (e.g., in Varanasi, Ujjain) to offer special prayers on this day. (The Indian Panorama)
Acts of charity: Giving food to dogs, feeding poor, donating black clothes or sesame — all considered meritorious. (Wikipedia)
Some people undertake sādhanā (spiritual practice) in a more intense form, especially in tantric contexts, seeking protection from hidden enemies, black magic, etc. (The Times of India)

Breaking the fast

After the puja and night vigil, the fast is broken with the offerings that were made to the deity, and then shared among family/community. As always, local regional customs vary.

Significance for You — As a Meditation Guide / Spiritual Practitioner

Given your background as a meditation guide, Lama Fera healing modality teacher, singer and Akashic Records reader, the festival of Kaal Bhairav Jayanti offers some rich layers of meaning and opportunity:

The symbolic meaning of Bhairav — confronting fear, time, ego, the unknown — aligns with deep spiritual work. You can guide meditators to recognise the “guardian” within who watches over limiting beliefs, inner shadows, karmic debts.
The night vigil (jagaran) is an ideal time for inner reflection, mantra chanting, meditation on impermanence, and the dance of time. You might lead a group meditation on “time beyond time”, the stillness behind the ticking clock.
As a singer: chanting the Bhairav Ashtakam or Kaal Bhairav Stotra could be integrated into a devotional musical session.
As a healer/teacher of Lama Fera healing: You might highlight how this day is auspicious for clearing karmic burdens, ancestral fears, black-magic/energetic blockages — many of your clients may resonate with the protective and purificatory aspects of Bhairav worship.
In your work with Akashic Records: This festival theme can be tied to “clearing time-lines, freeing from past karmas, stepping beyond time-bound constraints of the ego” — very potent.

Practical Tips for Observing Kaal Bhairav Jayanti (Especially for You in India)

Time & Tithi check: Use your city’s Panchang to confirm the precise Ashtami tithi start and end time (for Pune/Maharashtra). While for 2025 in Delhi it begins 11 Nov 11:08pm, your local timings may differ. (Drik Panchang)
Prepare a simple puja setup: Even at home, you can place a picture/statue of Kaal Bhairav, offer black sesame seeds, mustard oil lamp, black cloth or thread, and flowers (preferably dark/red).
Night vigil/meditation session: Schedule an online or in-person meditation from evening through night — chanting Bhairav mantras, guided meditation on time/ego, subtle body work.
Integrate sound/music: Perhaps compose a devotional chant or use your singing talents to guide a Bhairav stotra session, integrating vocals, mantra and rhythmic breathing.
Energy healing focus: Offer a special healing session for purification of fear/ego/time-bound patterns — linking with the Jayanti theme of Bhairav.
Service to animals: Consider feeding stray dogs, or an animal shelter visit; connecting to Bhairav’s vahana dog is both traditional and symbolic.
Charity/donation: Donate black clothes, black sesame, or food to needy; the act of giving in Bhairav worship is considered beneficial.
Reflection: Suggest journaling prompts for participants: “What am I afraid of?” “What part of me is bound by time/ego?” “How can I step into timeless awareness?”
Avoiding common mistakes: As with many festivals, the symbol is more important than lavishness. Cleanliness, sincerity, inner intention matter more than quantity of offerings.

Regional & Temple Highlights

The city of Varanasi (Kashi) is especially significant for Bhairav worship — the temple of Kaal Bhairav there is a major site. (The Indian Panorama)
In many parts of North India, Bhairav forms (Ashta Bhairavas — eight forms of Bhairav) are also worshipped. For example: Asitanga Bhairav, Ruru Bhairav, Chanda Bhairav, Krodha Bhairav, etc. (The Times of India)

Summary

In summary:The festival of Kaal Bhairav Jayanti is not just a ritual event, but a profound symbol of spiritual transformation — confronting time, ego, death, ignorance and emerging into awareness, protection, fearlessness. It offers devotees a powerful opportunity for purification, bravery and awakening.

Given your wide spiritual and healing practices, this festival can be a meaningful addition to your offerings — whether through meditation sessions, sound healing, Akashic Records work, devotional singing or energy clearing.

If you like, I can pull together specific mantras, puja-kit checklist, guided meditation script, or even music/singing resources themed on Bhairav for your practice. Would you like me to prepare that?