Kalashtami 2027: How to Worship Kaal Bhairav?

When Is Kalashtami in January 2027 and What Is the Auspicious Time?

Kalashtami in January 2027 falls on Friday, 29 January, on Magh Krishna Ashtami. On this day Kaal Bhairav, the fierce form of Lord Shiva, is worshipped. The Nishita Kaal (midnight period) is considered the best time for Bhairav worship and in Delhi it will be approximately 12:05 AM to 1:00 AM.

Kalashtami is the Ashtami tithi of the waning fortnight of every month, on which Kaal Bhairav, a form of Lord Shiva, is specially worshipped.

Kaal Bhairav is called the Kotwal (guardian) of Kashi and the Lord of Time. "Kaal" means both time and death and Kaal Bhairav is the power before whom even Time itself trembles. So he is worshipped for protection from fear, enemies, untimely death and negative forces.

Panchang Element	Details
Name of the Fast	Kalashtami, Masik Kalashtami
Date	29 January 2027, Friday
Hindu Month	Magh, Krishna Paksha (Purnimanta)
Tithi	Ashtami (eighth lunar day)
Nishita Kaal Puja (Delhi)	Approximately 12:05 AM to 1:00 AM
Sunrise in Delhi	Approximately 7:10 AM
Sunset in Delhi	Approximately 5:58 PM
Rahu Kaal (Delhi)	Approximately 11:10 AM to 12:35 PM
Presiding Deity	Lord Kaal Bhairav
Bhairav's Mount	A dog
Other Observance on the Same Day	Masik Krishna Janmashtami

Kalashtami is observed on the day when the Ashtami tithi is present at night. Check the exact Nishita Kaal timing for your city in the local Panchang. Those who cannot worship at night may also worship Bhairav during the Pradosh Kaal in the evening.

Who Is Kaal Bhairav?

Kaal Bhairav is the fierce and protective form of Lord Shiva. According to the Shiva Purana, he emerged from Shiva's anger. He is the deity of time, justice and protection and is regarded as the Kotwal of the city of Kashi, without whose permission no one can live in Kashi.

Bhairav means the one who removes fear and protects his devotees.

Kaal Bhairav's form appears terrifying but he is deeply compassionate towards his devotees. He holds a trident, a damaru (small drum), a sword and a skull in his hands. His mount is a dog, a symbol of loyalty and alertness.

Feature	Meaning
Dark Complexion	The endlessness of Kaal, that is, time
Trident	Destruction of the three kinds of suffering
Damaru	The rhythm of creation
Sword	Cutting through ignorance and ego
Skull	A reminder of the end of ego
Dog as Mount	Loyalty and alertness

What Is the Story of Kaal Bhairav's Appearance?

According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Brahma once insulted Lord Shiva out of pride. Then Kaal Bhairav emerged from Shiva's anger and cut off Brahma's fifth head. Afterwards, to be freed from the sin of Brahmahatya (killing a Brahmin), Bhairav took refuge in Kashi.

According to the story, Brahma once had five heads. When his fifth head spoke ill of Shiva out of pride, Kaal Bhairav severed it with his fingernail. The skull stuck to his hand and the sin of Brahmahatya began to follow him.

Bhairav travelled to many pilgrimage sites but found no release. At last, as soon as he reached Kashi, the skull fell from his hand. The place where the skull fell is called Kapal Mochan Tirtha. From then on, Lord Shiva appointed Kaal Bhairav as the Kotwal of Kashi.

The Message of the Story

This story shows that ego, even that of the creator himself, is cut down in the end. Kaal Bhairav is the destroyer of ego. So worshipping him on Kalashtami is also a means of ending the ego, fear and negativity within oneself.

What Is the Puja Vidhi of Kalashtami?

On Kalashtami, a fast is kept during the day and Kaal Bhairav is worshipped in the evening or at night. Bhairav is offered a mustard oil lamp, black sesame, urad, coconut and imarti (a sweet). After the worship, feeding a black dog is the most important ritual of the day.

1. Bathe in the morning and take the vow of the fast before Lord Shiva and Kaal Bhairav
2. Take only fruits through the day and chant "Om Kalabhairavaya Namah" silently
3. In the evening, visit a Bhairav temple or place a picture of Bhairav ji at home
4. First worship Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati
5. Light a four wicked lamp of mustard oil before Bhairav ji
6. Offer black sesame, urad, coconut, blue or black flowers and imarti to Bhairav ji
7. Recite the Kalabhairava Ashtakam
8. Chant "Om Kalabhairavaya Namah" 108 times
9. If possible, perform Bhairav ji's aarti during the Nishita Kaal
10. After the worship, feed a black dog with bread, milk or sweet food
11. The next morning, break the fast after bathing and worship

What Should Be Offered to Bhairav ji?

Offering	Significance
Mustard Oil Lamp	Calming of Saturn and Rahu afflictions
Black Sesame	Calming of Saturn and blessings of the ancestors
Urad Dal or Vadas	Bhairav ji's favourite offering
Imarti or Jalebi	Bhairav ji's traditional sweet offering
Coconut	A symbol of complete surrender
Food for a Black Dog	A direct channel of Bhairav ji's grace

In some tantric traditions special items are offered to Bhairav ji but for householders, sattvic worship is considered the best and safest.

What Are the Main Mantras of Kalashtami?

Mantra	Meaning	Purpose	Count
Om Kalabhairavaya Namah	Salutations to Kaal Bhairav	Grace and protection of Kaal Bhairav	108 times
Om Hreem Batukaya Apaduddharanaya Kuru Kuru Batukaya Hreem	Invoking Batuk Bhairav, the rescuer from calamity	Batuk Bhairav mantra, freedom from troubles	108 times
Devarajasevyamanapavananghripankajam, Vyalayajnasutramindushekharam Kripakaram	I worship the one whose holy lotus feet are served by the king of the gods, who wears a serpent as a sacred thread, bears the Moon on his head and is full of compassion	The opening of the Kalabhairava Ashtakam, praise of Bhairav	Full Ashtakam once

The Kalabhairava Ashtakam was composed by Adi Shankaracharya. It has 8 verses and each verse ends with "Kashikapuradhinatha Kalabhairavam Bhaje", meaning I worship Kaal Bhairav, the Lord of the city of Kashi.

What Is the Astrological Influence of Kalashtami?

In astrology, worship of Kaal Bhairav is regarded as one of the most effective remedies for calming the troubles of Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Kaal Bhairav is the Lord of Time and Saturn too signifies time and the fruits of karma. So Kalashtami worship is considered especially fruitful during Sade Sati, Dhaiya and the Rahu period.

It is believed that Shani Dev is a devotee of Bhairav ji, so Bhairav worship softens Saturn's harsh influence. On the Ashtami of the waning fortnight, the Moon's light is fading, a symbol of darkness and fear. At such a time, worshipping Bhairav, the remover of fear, makes the mind fearless. In 2027 this day is a Friday, the day of Venus, associated with the protection of material comforts.

Planet	Possible Problem	Remedy on Kalashtami
Saturn	Sade Sati, Dhaiya, obstacles in work	Offer a mustard oil lamp and black sesame to Bhairav ji
Rahu	Sudden troubles, fear, confusion	Chant the Batuk Bhairav mantra 108 times
Ketu	Unseen obstacles and negative energy	Feed a black dog
Mars	Trouble from enemies and disputes	Recite the Kalabhairava Ashtakam
Moon	Fear at night and insomnia	Chant "Om Kalabhairavaya Namah" 11 times before sleeping

What Should and Should Not Be Done on Kalashtami?

On Kalashtami, Bhairav worship, a mustard oil lamp, feeding a black dog and reciting the Ashtakam are auspicious. Harming any dog or living being, lying, insulting anyone and disrespecting elders are regarded as forbidden on this day, because Bhairav is the god of justice.

• Worship Bhairav ji in the evening or at night
• Be sure to feed bread or milk to a black dog
• Light a mustard oil lamp
• Recite the Kalabhairava Ashtakam
• Do not hit or chase away any dog or living being
• Stay completely away from lies and deceit on this day
• Do not disrespect your parents or elders
• Householders should keep to sattvic worship, without tantric methods

When the Remover of Fear Himself Stands Guard

Kalashtami reminds us that the greatest enemies in life are fear and ego. Kaal Bhairav destroys both. His fierce form looks terrifying from outside but for the devotee it is the safest refuge.

On the night of 29 January 2027, when the darkness of the waning fortnight deepens, a single mustard oil lamp and the name of Bhairav taken with faith can remove every fear of life. One whom Kaal Bhairav protects cannot be touched even by Time.

FAQ

When is Kalashtami in January 2027?
Kalashtami falls on Friday, 29 January 2027, on Magh Krishna Ashtami. Masik Krishna Janmashtami also falls on the same day.

What is the auspicious time for worship on Kalashtami?
The Nishita Kaal is best for Bhairav worship and in Delhi it will be approximately 12:05 AM to 1:00 AM. Worship can also be done during the Pradosh Kaal in the evening.

What should be offered to Bhairav ji on Kalashtami?
Bhairav ji is offered a mustard oil lamp, black sesame, urad, coconut and imarti. Feeding a black dog after the worship is considered auspicious.

Why is Kaal Bhairav called the Kotwal of Kashi?
After Kaal Bhairav was freed from the sin of Brahmahatya, Lord Shiva appointed him the Kotwal of Kashi. It is believed that no one can live in Kashi without his permission.

Does Kalashtami worship remove Saturn afflictions?
In astrology, worship of Kaal Bhairav is regarded as calming the troubles of Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Kalashtami worship is especially fruitful during Sade Sati and Dhaiya.