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Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, celebrating the fierce form of Lord Shiva, falls on November 12. Devotees observe fasting, night-long prayers, and chant Bhairava mantras.
Kala Bhairav represents strength, ferocity, which is needed to vanquish the darkness of ignorance, arrogance and evil, to clear the path towards spiritual salvation. (AI generated image)
Kaal Bhairav Jayanti 2025: Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, which commemorates the birth of Lord Kala Bhairava, a fierce and wrathful manifestation of Bhairava, an avatar of Lord Shiva, will be observed on November 12, this year. Bhairava, who is always surrounded by his mount, the faithful dog, wields his rod to punish sinners. It is said that worshipping the deity protects the devotees from fear, obstacles, negativity and aids in their spiritual progress.
As noted by Drik Panchang, it is on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha, in the month of Margashirsha, following the end of Kartika, as per the Hindu Purnimant calendar, when Kalabhairav Jayanti is celebrated.
Kalabhairav Jayanti Time
As mentioned in Drik Panchang website, the Ashtami Tithi for Kala Bhairava worship, begins on November 11, 2025, at 11.08 p.m. The Tithi ends on the following day, at 10.58 p.m.
Kalabhairav Jayanti Rituals
Details of the ritual procedure and process of Kala Bhairava worship are mentioned in the Vrat Parichay and Shiv Rahasya texts. This includes fasting for the devotees of Lord Bhairava. The devotees must wake up early and take who must give Arghya, or offerings to the deity, three times on this day and recite the three mantras which are mentioned below.
First Arghya Mantra
भैरवार्घ्यं गृहाणेश भीमरूपाव्ययानघ।
अनेनार्घ्यप्रदानेन तुष्टो भव शिवप्रिय॥
Second Arghya Mantra
सहस्राक्षिशिरोबाहो सहस्रचरणाजर।
गृहाणार्घ्यं भैरवेदं सपुष्पं परमेश्वर॥
Third Arghya Mantra
पुष्पांजलिं गृहाणेश वरदो भव भैरव।
पुनरर्घ्यं ग्रहणेदं सपुष्पं यातनापह॥
The devotees are then required to remain awake all night and either recite or listen to the various stories about Lord Shiva, primarily from the Shiva Purana.
Other texts that include references to Lord Shiva, are the Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, and Brahmanda Purana, as well as the Rig Veda and Yajur Veda.
Kaal Bhairav Jayanti 2025: Significance
Lord Kala Bhairav is called the god of time and death. He has a dark and fearsome appearance, signifying the ferocity of wrath emerging from righteousness. Like goddess Kali, the fierce form of goddess Shakti, Kala Bhairav also wears a garland of skulls. Kala Bhairav represents strength, ferocity, which is needed to vanquish the darkness of ignorance, arrogance and evil, to clear the path towards spiritual salvation.
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A tech-savv…Read More
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A tech-savv… Read More
November 11, 2025, 18:10 IST