Kala Ashtami – The Hindu holiday of Bhairava Ashtami, also referred to as Bhairavashtami, Bhairava Jayanti, Kala-Bhairava Ashtami, and Kala-Bhairava Jayanti, honours the birth of Bhairava, a terrifying and vengeful manifestation of the god Shiva. According to the South Indian Amavasyant calendar, every month ends with a new moon, it falls on the eighth lunar day (ashtami) in the fortnight of the waning moon (Krishna paksha) in the Hindu month of Kartik or Margashirsha (per the North Indian Purnimant calendar, every month ends with a full moon). Bhairava Ashtami occurs on the same day in November, December, and January under both plans.
When referring to any of the sacred days of Bhairava, who is also known as Dandapani (as he holds a rod or Danda to punish sinners) and who rides a dog, people sometimes use the term “Kalashtami,” which can also refer to any Ashtami in the Krishna Paksha. Swaswa, which means “whose horse is a dog,” is another name for Bhairava.
Kala Ashtami – Significance
• Legend Behind Kala Ashtami
Bhairava represents the anger of Shiva. The narrative related to the occasion states that the Trimurti gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, were debating who was the superior of them all in a serious manner. Brahma’s comments during the heated discussion angered Shiva, who gave the order to his manor Bhairava to remove one of Brahma’s five heads. Bhairava executed Shiva’s commands, causing Brahma to have four heads after losing one of his heads. All the others prayed to Shiva and Bhairava, filled with fear.
According to a somewhat different story, after Brahma insulted Shiva, Bhairava (also known as Kala-Bhairava) materialized from the enraged god’s forehead and severed Brahma’s head, leaving him with only four heads. Due to the sin of killing Brahma, the most knowledgeable Brahmin, also known as Brahmahatya or Brahminicide, the head of Brahma became adhered to Bhairava’s left palm. Bhairava was forced to fulfill the vow of a Kapali, wandering the world as a Bhikshatana and using the skull of the victim as his bowl for alms. This was done to atone for the sin of brahmacharya. When Bhairava arrives in Varanasi, a sacred city where a temple honoring him is still standing, his sin is at last atoned for.
• Practices Performed On This Day
On Bhairava Ashtami, there is an all-night vigil with prayers, adoration, and stories about Bhairava, Shiva, and Parvati. An arati of Bhairava should be performed at midnight using conches, bells, and drums. Devotees, particularly Shiva-worshiping Shaivas, offer libations and oblations to their deceased ancestors in the morning after taking a bath. Then, flowers and treats are offered in worship to Bhairava, Shiva, Parvati, and Bhairava’s vahana, the dog. Additionally, milk, treats, curds, and other food are provided to dogs as offerings.
If Bhairava Ashtami falls on a Sunday or a Tuesday, two holy days dedicated to Bhairava, the day is seen as being more auspicious. Bhairava is particularly revered for success, riches, health, and the elimination of obstacles. By observing Bhairava Ashtami, a devotee is said to be liberated from sin and the fear of dying.
In Kashmir’s Vaishno Devi Hills, Bhairava Ashtami is celebrated at the Bhairav Prasad Temple. On this day, a gold or silver statue of Kala-Bhairava is crafted, immersed in a brass metal container of water, and worshipped alongside Shiva using all scriptural prayers. Then, gifts are given to the priests who perform the puja.
In Varanasi, an eight-day pilgrimage of the eight temples dedicated to Ashta Bhairava, eight subsidiary aspects of Bhairava, is undertaken on the first eight days of the fortnight, culminating with Bhairava Ashtami. On Bhairava Ashtami, Kala Bhairava, the city’s guardian deity, is worshipped in his temple. For the rest of a year, a cloth covers the central icon, except his face, however, on this day, the cloth is removed to reveal the whole image. The image is adorned with a garland of silver skulls on this day. Several devotees flood the temple to capture the unique opportunity to view the whole image.
• Date And Timings Of Kala Ashtami Vrat 2022
1. January Magha Kala Ashtami
Date – 25 January 2022
Start time- 07:48 AM, Jan 25
End time- 06:25 AM, Jan 26
Tuesday
2.February Phalguna Kala Ashtami
Date – 23 February 2022
Start time- 04:56 PM, Feb 23
End time- 03:03 PM, Feb 24
Wednesday
3. March Chaitra Kala Ashtami
Date – 25 March 2022
Start time- 12:09 AM, Mar 25
End time- 10:04 PM, Mar 25
Friday
4. April Vaishakha Kala Ashtami
Date – 23 April 2022
Start time- 06:27 AM, Apr 23
End time- 04:29 AM, Apr 24
Saturday
5. May Jyeshtha Kala Ashtami
Date – 22 May 2022
Start time- 12:59 PM, May 22
End time- 11:34 AM, May 23
Sunday
6. June Ashadha Kala Ashtami
Date – 20 June 2022
Start time- 09:01 PM, Jun 20
End time- 08:30 PM, Jun 21
Monday
7. July Date Shravana Kala Ashtami
Date – 20 July 2022
Start time- 07:35 AM, Jul 20
End time- 08:11 AM, Jul 21
Wednesday
8.August Bhadrapada Kala Ashtami
Date – 19 August 2022
Start time- 09:20 PM, Aug 18
End time- 10:59 PM, Aug 19
Friday
9. September Ashwin Kala Ashtami
Date – 17 September 2022
Start time- 02:14 PM, Sep 17
End time- 04:32 PM, Sep 18
Saturday
10. October Kartika Kala Ashtami
Date – 17 October 2022
Start time- 09:29 AM, Oct 17
End time- 11:57 AM, Oct 18
Monday
11. November Margashirsha Kala Ashtami
Date – 16 November 2022
Start time- 05:49 AM, Nov 16
End time- 07:57 AM, Nov 17
Wednesday
12. December Paush Kala Ashtami
Date – 16 December 2022
Start time- 01:39 AM, Dec 16
End time- 03:02 AM, Dec
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