Kalabhairav Jayanti also known as ‘Mahakaal Bhairavashtami’ or ‘Kala Bhairav Ashtami’ is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav, the fearsome form of Lord Shiva. It is observed on the ‘ashtami’ (8th day) of the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the period of waning phase of moon) during the Hindu lunar month of ‘Kartik’. In the Gregorian calendar, this date corresponds to the months of mid-November to mid-December. The festival of Kalabhairav Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Kala Bhairav, the Hindu God of Time. This day is considered to be more auspicious when it falls on a Tuesday or Sunday as these days are dedicated to Lord Kala Bhairav
Rituals during Kalabhairav Jayanti:
- On the day of Kalabhairav Jayanti devotees worship Lord Kala Bhairav along with Shiva and Parvati with fruits, flowers and sweets. After the completion of puja, they also recite the Kalabhairav Katha.
- Devotees get up early and take a ritualistic bath to perform special pujas and rituals for their dead ancestors on the day of Kalabhairav Jayanti.
- On Kalabhairav Jayanti devotees keep vigil all night and narrate stories of Lord Kala Bhairav and Lord Shiva. They devotedly chant the mantras dedicated to Bhairav and perform the ‘aarti’ at midnight with traditional musical instruments like drums, bells and conches.
- Some devotees even keep strict fasting during the day on Kalabhairav Jayanti. It is a popular belief that the observer of this vrat will be able to remove all obstacles from his/her life and gain all-round success.
- As Lord Kala Bhairav rides on a dog, in some regions dogs are also fed with milk and sweets on this day.
- Special rituals are held on this day in Lord Kala Bhairav’s temples all across India. People visit the temples in the evening and participate in the ‘Shodashopachar Puja’.
Significance
of Kalabhairav Jayanti:
The day of Kalabhairav Jayanti holds immense significance for followers of Lord Shiva. This day commemorates the birthday of Lord Kala Bhairav who is known to be the fearful manifestation of Lord Shiva. According to the Hindu legends, when Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh were discussing their superiority, Lord Shiva got infuriated by some remarks of Brahma. Lord Bhairav then appeared from Shiva’s forehead and severed one head of Lord Brahma, leaving Him with four heads. Lord Bhairav is seen holding a rod to punish the sinners and rides on a dog. Devotees worship Lord Shiva and Bhairav on the auspicious day of Kalabhairav Jayanti to seek forgiveness for their sins. Worshipping Lord Kala Bhairav on this day bestows good health and success. It is also believed that by worshipping Lord Kala Bhairav all the ‘Rahu’ and ‘Shani’ doshas can be nullified.
Kalabhairava
– The Time-Keeper God Who Is the Guardian of All
Kalabhairava – This magnificent form is a manifestation of
Lord Shiva who oversees the march of time. The word Bhairava originated
from the word Bhiru which means frightful. Though he presents himself in a
terrible form, he is actually protecting his devotees from all negative forces.
In Shiva temples, idols of Bhairava are situated in the north-south facing
direction. His complexion is dark and appears in a standing position with four
hands. His weapons are drum, noose, trident and skull, and he is seen riding a
dog.
Kalabhairava
Jayanthi – An Auspicious Day to Revere the Fierce Form of Lord Shiva
Lord Kalabhairava is the ferocious form of Lord Shiva. Kala
Bhairava is the controller and God of Time. Kala means ‘Time’ and Bhairava
means the manifestation of Lord Shiva. He converts ones bad time to good one
thereby ensuring progress by removing all evil and negative forces. He is
depicted with sharp angry eyes, tiger’s teeth, blazing hair, wearing garlands
of skulls and a snake around his neck. Kalashtami and Kala
Bhairava Jayanthi are the
most auspicious and ideal days dedicated to Lord Kala Bhairava. Ashtami day falls
eight day after Poornima (Full moon day). He is also known as Kshetrapalaka,
the guardian of the temple. In most of the temple, keys are submitted to Lord
Kala Bhairava at the time of closing and taken from him at opening time. The
dog is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Kala Bhairava.
He is also considered as the guardian of travellers. It is
advised that before undertaking a long journey or night travel, it is
beneficial to worship Lord Kala Bhairava by lighting ghee lamps in his glory
and asking him for protection during the journey.
Kalabhairava
Jayanthi – An Auspicious Day to Revere the Fierce Form of Lord Shiva
There are 64 Bhairavas grouped under eight categories and
control the eight direction of the universe. The group of eight Bhairavas are
called as Ashta
Bhairavas. The eight different manifestations
of Lord Kala Bhairava are:
- Asitanga
Bhairava – This form of bhairava is a favourite form of artisans,
writers and innovators. Grants creative skill, powers to generate new
ideas and conceptions
- Guru
Bhairava – Gives divine education, success in all ventures, spiritual
knowledge
- Chanda
Bhairava – destroys evil and enemies and enhances confidence, removes
fears, clears path to progress and provides incredible energy to attain
success
- Kroda
Bhairava – Gives strength and courage to take massive action that ends in
success, emerge victorious by overcoming hurdles and oppositions.
- Unmatta
Bhairava – Controls negative emotions like depression, mood swings,
anxiety, mental disorders, ego etc.
- Kapala
Bhairava – Ends all profitless work and action. He helps overcome delays
in major projects and assures matters are settled in a fulfilling manner.
- Bhishana
Bhairava – This form eliminates evil spirits and negative energy.
Installing this form in your space emits positive and energetic
vibrations.
- Samhara
Bhairava – Though benevolent, this form of Kala Bhairava looks fierce and eliminates
bad karma effects and bestows them with fresh vigour.
How
to Worship Kalabhairava to Receive His Power Blessings
The worship of Kalabhairava works well for all people due to
various reasons. It is especially special to pray to this form of Lord Shiva to
escape fear or phobia, to remove evil spells and negative energies, eliminate
hurdles that prohibit success and progress, gifts blessings of wealth, health
and prosperity, to win battles, to get relief from critical illnesses, to attain
special powers and energies, cure mental disorders, etc. He also blesses
the devotees with time management skills and is a true guardian of the masses.
— Before starting any form of reverence to deities, one must
cleanse the body of all impurities early in the morning.
— On his birthday Kalabhairava
Jayanthi, it is very special to offer
obeisance to dead ancestors during the morning.
— Placing a yantra of kalabhairava is mandatory by offering
flowers, prayers and mantras.
— It is considered auspicious to recite Kalabhairava mantras
which are very powerful.
— Feeding dogs on days like Kalabhairava Jayanthi is very
special as the canine is considered to be the mount of Kalabhairava. Dogs can
be fed with milk, sweets and curd.
— Offering food to Brahmins on the day is also considered
beneficial.
— Devotees can also visit Bhairava temples in the evenings
to please the lord.
Kalabhairava
Mantras:
- Om
Aim Hraam Kleem Shri Batukbhairavaya
- Om
Hreem Bum Batukaya Apadudharanaya Kuru Kuru Batukaya Hreem Om Namaha
Shivaye
- Om Hraam Hreem Hroom Hrime Hroum Ksham Kshetrapaalaaya Kaala Bhairavaaya Namaha