Kaal Bhairav Jayanti 2025: Puja Vidhi, Timings, and Why It’s Spiritually Important

Sonali Singh
Nov 6
3 min read

Know the shubh muhurat, rituals, and importance of Kaal Bhairav Jayanti 2025, the sacred day devoted to Lord Shiva’s guardian form.

Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, also referred to as Bhairav Ashtami, marks the divine appearance of Lord Kaal Bhairav, the fierce protector of Lord Shiva. This holiday is celebrated during the month of Karthik, specifically on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha, and is of great importance to the Sanatangyan tradition. Worshippers offer special prayers to Lord Bhairav asking for protection, wisdom, liberation from negative energies, and perform puja, chant and recite offerings on this day.

The Significance of Kaal Bhairav Jayanti

Bhairav Ashtami falls on the Ashtami Tithi of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartik. It is considered the divine birth or appearance of Lord Kaal Bhairav, also known as “the timeless guardian of Dharma.” There is a belief among the devotees that worshipping Lord Bhairav on this sacred day removes negativity, dispels fear, and protects one from evil influences.

Within the tradition Sanatangyan, Kaal Bhairav embodies the fierce and tender energies of Shiva especially during the destruction of ignorance and embracing Dharma. Sadhus and gurus describe him as the "Kshetrapal," protector of holy cities like Kashi and Ujjain. As a matter of fact, Kaal Bhairav is considered the guardian deity of Kashi, where even today, no pilgrimage is considered complete without his darshan.

Below is a Sanskrit verse from the Shiva Purana that describes him beautifully:

“कालः कालस्य कालश्च, कालभैरव उच्यते।”

Translation: “He who controls time itself, who is the destroyer of time—He is known as Kaal Bhairav.”

This shloka reminds every Sanatangyan that Kaal, time, is divine and that surrender to Lord Bhairav is transcendence of the material world.

Mythological Story: The Birth of Kaal Bhairav

The story of Kaal Bhairav's birth, according to ancient scriptures and Shastras, conveys a deep meaning. There was once a debate among the Trimurti of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva about who was the supreme creator of the Universe. When Brahma's pride made him speak disrespectfully to Lord Shiva, Mahadev's divine anger took form as Lord Bhairav.

Acceding to Shiva's request, Bhairav chopped off one of Brahma's five heads, which represented the end of ego. While doing so, he needed to carry Brahma's skull, called Kapala, as a penance until his sins were purified. Since then, Lord Bhairav came to be known as "Kapaleshwar."

In the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva proclaims:

“भैरवो भयहरः सर्वरक्षाकरः शिवः।”

— “Bhairav removes all fears and bestows complete protection, for He is none other than Shiva Himself.”

Kaal Bhairav Jayanti 2025 Date and Timings

Date: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Ashtami Tithi Begins: 11 November 2025, 11:08 PM
Ashtami Tithi Ends: 12 November 2025, 10:58 PM

Devotees fast on this day and perform special pujas during the Nishita Kaal (midnight), the most auspicious time for Kaal Bhairav worship.

Puja Vidhi (Rituals) of Kaal Bhairav Jayanti 2025

Getting up before dawn, devotees are expected to wash in a holy bathing sanctum, before performing worship with the ritual (puja vidhi). This is to purify the body and, as in the mind, before the devotion that is to follow the worship.

Invocation (Dhyana): Lighting a ghee lamp and chanting “॥ Om Bhairavaya Namah ॥” 108 times to invite the divine energy.

Offerings (Upachara): Sesame, flowers, oil, and wick lamps, and sweet Jaggery are offered to Lord Bhairav.

Dog feeding ritual: Devotees offering food to black dogs is an act of humility and compassion as Bhairav’s vehicle is a dog.

Reciting sacred texts: For many, reading the Bhairav Chalisa or the Shiva Purana gives them the focus and devotion needed to strengthen their inner discipline.

Midnight prayers: The act of Bhairav Sadhna is performed by many meditation sadhus and spiritual seekers to face fear and attain transcendence.

Sacred Temples of Kaal Bhairav

The Kaal Bhairav Temple is the most famous shrine to worship Kaal Bhairav, located in Varanasi. Worshippers consider him the patron guardian of the city. In Ujjain, a holy temple is dedicated to him as well, where devotees claim Kaal Bhairav protects them from ill will and misfortune.

In Delhi, the belief is that it was the Pandavas who constructed a temple for Lord Bhairav during the period of their exile. In Kathmandu, Nepal, lies one unique temple with the only smiling idol of Lord Bhairav. This smiling form reminds devotees that beneath his fierce appearance lies divine grace and compassion.

Kaal Bhairav Jayanti teaches every Sanatanian that true devotion is learned through surrendering fear and pride for devotion, and becoming one with Bhairav. Adhering to puja vidhi under the guidance of a sadhu, guru, and shashtra renders bhaktas divine wisdom and protects them with the cloak of the divine. They receive the strength of Lord Shiva to pursue Dharma with devotion and fearless dedication.