What is Kalashtami?
Kalashtami or Kala Ashtami is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus. This is the festival dedicated to Lord Bhairav. Kalashtami is celebrated in every Hindu lunar month on the eighth day during the waning phase of moon i.e on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi. The 8th day after the full moon day, which is also called Ashtami Tithi after Purnima, is considered as the most favorable day to get the blessings of Lord Kaal Bhairav. On the day of Kalashtami, devotees worship Lord Bhairav and also observe a fast to please him and get blessings.
As per the Hindu calendar, there are a total of 13 Kalashtamis in 2026. Out of that, the one which falls in the month of Margashirsha is the most significant and is celebrated as Kalabhairav Jayanti. Kalashtami is a very important festival and it is believed that when Kalashtami falls on a Sunday or Tuesday, it is very auspicious as these days are dedicated to Lord Bhairav.
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Significance of Kalashtami
The significance of Kalashtami is mentioned in ‘Aditya Purana’. According to Aditya Purana, the main deity to be worshipped on Kalashtami is Lord Kaal Bhairav. Lord Kaal Bhairav is also known as the avatar of Lord Shiva. In Hindu mythology, ‘Kaal’ means time and ‘Bhairav’ refers to ‘the manifestation of Shiva. Therefore, Kaal Bhairav is also called the ‘God Of Time’. This day is very important for the followers of Lord Shiva and thus they celebrate and worship Lord Bhairav with full devotion.
It is said that once during a discussion between Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, Lord Shiva got angry due to the remarks passed by Lord Brahma. He took the avatar of Mahakaleshwar and cut the 5th head of Lord Brahma. It is also believed that Kaal Bhairav is the fierce avatar of Lord Shiva who was born to end the temper of Lord Brahma. Since then, devotees worship the Kaal Bhairav avatar of Lord Shiva.
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Masik Kalashtami 2026 Dates and Tithi Timings
Kalashtami September 2026 Date
| Date | Day | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 4, 2026 | Friday | 02:30 AM, Sep 04 2026 | 12:30 AM, Sep 05 2026 |
Kalashtami October 2026 Date
| Date | Day | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2026 | Saturday | 08:00 AM, Oct 03 2026 | 05:52 AM, Oct 04 2026 |
Kalashtami November 2026 Date
| Date | Day | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Sunday | 02:52 PM, Nov 01 2026 | 01:11 PM, Nov 02 2026 |
Kalashtami December 2026 Date ( Kaal Bhairav Jayanti on Dec 01, 2026 )
| Date | Day | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2026 | Tuesday | 12:12 AM, Dec 01 2026 | 11:14 PM, Dec 01 2026 |
| December 30, 2026 | Wednesday | 12:37 PM, Dec 30 2026 | 12:33 PM, Dec 31 2026 |
What to Do on Kalashtami: Rituals and Vrat
Kalashtami is an important day for the devotees of Lord Shiva. By performing specific rituals on this day helps the devotees to receive the blessings of Lord Shiva. Below are some of the rituals to be followed on this day:
- Get up early in the morning (before sunrise) and take an early bath.
- Perform a special puja for Lord Kaal Bhairav to get his blessings and seek forgiveness for all the sins.
- One can also observe a fast on this day. The one who observes Kalashtami Vrat is blessed with prosperity, happiness and success in life.
- Recite Kaal Bhairav Katha and chant mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Also, in the evening, visit Lord Kaal Bhairav’s temple and offer a special prayer.
- On Kalashtami, special puja and prayers are offered to ancestors as well, in the morning, so that their souls experience peace.
- Donate food, clothes, money, etc to brahmins.
- Feed black dog (considered as the vehicle of Kaal Bhairav) with milk, curd and sweets.
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Why Kalashtami is Considered Auspicious
Kalashtami – the festival of Lord Bhairav, is marked with full enthusiasm and devotion in different parts of the country. Worshippers are also bestowed with the blessings of Lord Shiva. Praising Lord Bhairav on Kalashtami will help devotees to remove all the suffering, pain, and negative energies from life. Thus, Kalashtami is the most suitable and auspicious day to propitiate Lord Kaal Bhairav.
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FAQs
What is Kalashtami?
Kalashtami, also known as Kala Ashtami, is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Bhairav. It is observed on the eighth day of the waning moon phase each month, known as Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi, and is a day for devotees to worship Lord Kaal Bhairav and observe fasts to seek his blessings.
How many Kalashtamis are there in 2026?
In 2026, there are a total of 13 Kalashtamis. The Kalashtami that falls in the month of Margashirsha is particularly significant and is celebrated as Kalabhairav Jayanti.
Why is Kalashtami considered auspicious on Sundays and Tuesdays?
Kalashtami is considered especially auspicious when it falls on a Sunday or Tuesday because these days are traditionally dedicated to Lord Bhairav, enhancing the spiritual significance and the potential for receiving blessings.
What rituals are performed on Kalashtami?
On Kalashtami, devotees perform various rituals including fasting, worshipping Lord Bhairav, and offering prayers to seek his blessings. These practices are believed to help remove suffering, pain, and negative energies from life.
What is the significance of Lord Kaal Bhairav in Hindu mythology?
Lord Kaal Bhairav is an avatar of Lord Shiva, known as the ‘God of Time’. According to Hindu mythology, he manifested to curb the temper of Lord Brahma and is revered for his power to remove obstacles and grant blessings to his devotees.
