Kaal Bhairav Jayanti 2024: Date, timings, rituals, and everything you want to know
Kaal Bhairav Jayanti, also known as Bhairava Ashtami, is observed by Sanatan Hindus all over the world on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Margashirsha (November-December according to the English calendar). The day is dedicated to Baba Kaal Bhairav, the fierce and unforgiving form of Bhagwan Shiva and is known as the ‘Kotwal of Kashi’, meaning protector of Kashi, who maintains the law and order of Kashi and the world. Baba Kaal Bhairav wears a garland of skulls carries weapons in his hands and does not spare the wrongdoers.
Significance of Bhairav Jayanti
On the day of Bhairava Ashtami, his devotees observe fasts, offer puja, perform rituals, and chant mantras to seek his blessings for protection, courage, and overcoming obstacles.
Bhairav Ashtami is a day of devotion and you can observe it by performing puja, vrat and dhyaan. You can also chant the Bhairava ashtakam and other mantras, dedicated to Kaal Bhairav or Bhagwan Shiva, seeking his blessings to feel his powers and energy and his protection and guidance all through your life.
When is Kaal Bhairav Jayanti 2024?
- Kaal Bhairav Jayanti will be observed on November 22, 2024.
- Ashtami Tithi starts: November 22, 2024, at 06:07 PM
- Ashtami date ends: November 23, 2024, at 07:56 PM.”
Legends of Baba Kaal Bhairav
Among the most known stories of Baba Kaal Bhairav is that that involves Brahma Dev, Shri Hari Vishnu, and Bhagwan Shiva too.
According to beliefs, one day Brahma and Vishnu argued who was the more powerful God and whom humans and devotees should respect more. While they were arguing, Shiva continued to meditate in silence and was not part of the argument. However, Brahma Dev, being a little arrogant, started believing that he was the most superior among the three of them, as he was more powerful than Bhagwan Shiva and Bhagwan Vishnu. He started saying bad things about both. This created trouble in the cosmos, leading to the occurrence of Baba Kaal Bhairav, an angry and fierce form of Shiva. He immediately severed one of Brahma’s 5 heads.
Due to the severing of the head of Brahma, Baba Kaal Bhairav became responsible for Brahma Hatya, which is seen as a ‘Mahapaap’ in Sanatan Dharma. Therefore, he has to seek penance to get rid of the sin
Baba Kaal Bhairav travelled all over the world holding the severed head of Brahma in his hands, seeking forgiveness. And then, when he reached Kashi, he felt as if all his sins were washed away immediately. It was like Kashi had told him that he was now free from the sin of Brahma Hatya.
Why is Baba Kaal Bhairav Known as ‘Kashi ke Kotwal’?
Famous as the ‘Kotwal of Kashi’, which means ‘police officer of Kashi,’ Baba Kaal Bhairav has responsibilities towards the people of Kashi (Varanasi).
According to legends, Shiva assigned the responsibility of protecting the holy city to Baba Kaal Bhairav to ensure it was free of evil forces and sinners. Hindus believe that those who breathe their last in Kashi are granted moksha by Baba Kaal Bhairav.
One should know that when one visits Kashi, it is important to pay a visit to Baba Kaal Bhairav first, get his permission and blessing, and then move to visit other temples in the city. If his permission is not taken, a trip to Kashi remains incomplete.
Kaal Bhairav Jayanti Puja Rituals
Baba Kaal Bhairav Jayanti rituals are very simple.
- Early morning, take a bath and offer puja. Seek guidance from a pandit for the same.
- Devotees begin the day by offering an Abhishekam to Baba Kaal Bhairav
- Abhishekam includes simple water or milk. You may also perform Abhishekam by offering milk, honey, curd, ghee, and mishri. Some also offer black sesame seeds, mustard oil, and flowers to Baba Kaal Bhairav.
- Many devotees also observe fast on the day
- Refrain from consuming grains or any other food. But if you want to have something, you can have milk and fruits.
- In the evening, light mustard oil lamps and chant sacred mantras like the Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam.
- Devotees prefer to meditate the whole night, which is believed to be very enlightening.
The Kaal Bhairav Jayanti and Sadhna
Kaal Bhairav Jayanti allows people to get closer to an extremely powerful energy that is all around us but we cannot feel. Kaal Bhairav Sadhna is a way to connect to this most powerful energy.
Devotees are increasingly engaging in Kaal Bhairav Sadhna these days. The Sadhna includes meditation by focusing on the name and form of Baba Kaal Bhairav and chanting the mantras dedicated to him and Shiva to feel his power and energy around you.
It is believed that performing Sadhna on this day invokes Baba Bhairav’s energy and creates a protective shield for his devotees. Bhairav keeps all the evil forces away from you. Sadhna of Baba Bhairav also awakens devotees’ sleeping senses and helps them realise the reality of life very closely. Bhairav Sadhna also allows devotees to experience power, clarity, courage, discipline, self-confidence and growth.
Devotees also seek the blessings of Baba Kaal Bhairav to overcome fear, obstacles and negative energies.
