Kala Bhairav Jayanti 2017 is here. Kala denotes time and Bhairav represents fearless Lord Shiva, hence the literal meaning of Kala Bhairav, according to Hinduism, is “god of time”. Kala Bhairav is the form of Lord Shiva who bestows upon us a very powerful protection from all threats in life. It is depicted in the scriptures as the destroyer of evil energies and caretaker of Dharma.

All about Kala Bhairav

Kala Bhairav is the deity of esoteric powers. He rules the nervous system of the human body. It is believed that the dust of Kala Bhairav feet can liberate people and bestow enlightenment. He was the king of the city of Varanasi.

In Shiva temples, Kala Bhairav is installed near the entrance of the temple as the protector of the energy field as the ‘Kshetra Palka’.

Significance of Kala Bhairav

Kala Bhairav Jayanti is the day when Lord Shiva took the form of Kala Bhairav. On this day, the lord makes his presence intense wherever he is worshipped. He removes all the sufferings of the devotees.

Rituals and celebrations of Kala Bhairav Jayanti

Kala Bhairav Jayanti is also known as Kalashtami because it falls on Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha during the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. Devotees of the Lord Bhairav keep fast and worship him on Kalashtami days in the year which falls every month. But, the most significant Kalashtami that is known as Kala Bhairav Jayanti falls in the month of Margashirsha to North Indian, Purnima to Purnima lunar month calendar, while it falls in the month of Kartik in South India Amavasya to Amavasya lunar month calendar.

However, Kala Bhairav Jayanti is observed on the same day at both places. Devotees stay awake throughout the night of Kala Bhairav Jayanti. They worship Lord Shiva, Parvati and Bhairav. An aarti is performed at midnight amid the beating of drums and blowing of conches. Next morning, after taking bath, devotees offer prayers to their departed elders. They later offer curd, milk, sweets and other food items to the vahana of Bhairav, a dog. The festival is considered holier if it falls on Tuesday or Sunday as these two days are believed to be very auspicious for worshipping Bhairav.

The story behind Kala Bhairav

Once Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were debating as to who is the supreme power among them. On a remark of Brahma, Shiva threw a small nail from his finger out of rage. The nail demonstrated itself as Kala Bhairav who cuts off Brahma’s fifth head. But, Kala Bhairav had to pay for his deed. He had to roam around the entire world as a beggar with the skull of Brahma as his begging bowl. The sin got absolved when he reached Varanasi. There is a temple of Kala Bhairav in Varanasi even today.