Kalashtamiకాలాష్టమి
The waning eighth tithi — worship of Kala Bhairava.
- Deity
- Kala Bhairava
- Frequency
- Once a lunar month
What Kalashtami is
Kalashtami is the krishna ashtami, kept for Kala Bhairava — the fierce form of Shiva who is the guardian of time itself and of the city of Kashi. The observance is protective in intent: Bhairava is invoked against fear, against enemies, and against the obstacles that do not yield to gentler approaches. Kalabhairava Ashtami, in Margashira, is the principal annual observance.
Who observes it
Kept by Shaivas and by Tantric practitioners; observed strongly in Varanasi and in Bhairava temples across the south.
Fasting rules
A day fast broken after the evening worship. Some keep a night vigil. The observance leans on the worship rather than on abstention.
Pooja vidhanam
Evening or night worship of Bhairava with a lamp of sesame oil, black sesame, and offerings of urad dal. Recitation of the Kala Bhairava Ashtakam. Feeding dogs — Bhairava's vahana — is a standing part of the observance and is considered inseparable from it.
2026 dates
Computed from the tithi at sunrise for your selected city. Tap any date for that day's full panchangam.