Kala Ashtami, a Hindu festival, is observed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) every month. This day holds special significance for the worship of Lord Shiva's fearsome form, Kaal Bhairav. Devotees observe a fast and perform puja (worship) with great devotion and faith. Astrology also considers Kala Ashtami highly auspicious and beneficial. It is believed that sincere worship of Lord Kaal Bhairav on this day alleviates planetary afflictions in one's horoscope, fulfills desires, and eliminates life's difficulties.
Kala Ashtami 2025: Date and Auspicious Muhurat
According to the Panchang (Hindu calendar), in May 2025, Kala Ashtami will begin on May 20th at 1:40 AM and conclude on May 21st at 12:28 AM. The Kala Ashtami fast is observed on May 20th. Performing puja and observing the fast on this day is considered highly auspicious.
Auspicious Muhurat:
Ashtami Tithi Begins: May 20, 2025, 1:40 AM
Ashtami Tithi Ends: May 21, 2025, 12:28 AM
Brahma Muhurta (Best time for Puja): 4:30 AM to 5:30 AM
Kala Ashtami Puja Vidhi:
Waking up during Brahma Muhurta on Kala Ashtami is considered highly auspicious. Rising at this time to perform puja enhances the benefits of the fast and attracts the blessings of Lord Kaal Bhairav and Shiva.
- Purification and Cleanliness: Begin by performing your daily rituals early in the morning. Then bathe with Ganga Jal (Ganges water) or any other sacred water. Wear clean, light-colored clothes to purify both mind and body. Thorough preparation and cleanliness are essential for the puja.
- Preparing the Puja Place: Clean the chosen puja area thoroughly. Spread a clean red cloth. Place an idol or picture of Lord Shiva and Kaal Bhairav. If an idol is unavailable, a picture suffices. Ensure the puja space is calm and clean.
- Commencing the Puja: Begin by applying a white sandalwood tilak to Lord Shiva and Kaal Bhairav. Applying sandalwood purifies the atmosphere and is highly pleasing to the deities. Then offer flowers.
- Incense and Lamp: After offering flowers, light incense and a lamp. This purifies the environment and steadies the mind during worship. The lamp's light dispels negative energy and promotes positivity.
- Offering Prasad (Food Offering): Offer fruits, sweets, and water as prasad to Lord Shiva and Kaal Bhairav. This offering should be simple and made with complete devotion. Offering prasad attracts divine grace and fulfills desires.
- Prayer and Vrat Sankalp (Fast Resolution): After offering prasad, fold your hands and seek forgiveness for your mistakes and sins. Resolve to observe the fast and commit to performing good deeds in the future. This ensures the fast's success and brings positive changes to life.
- Performing Aarti: Perform the aarti of Kaal Bhairav, expressing gratitude for his protection. After the aarti, clean the temple or puja area.
- Offering Water to the Sun God: At the end of the puja, offer water to the Sun God. This is considered highly auspicious and completes the puja. Offering water alleviates planetary afflictions and leads to success in life.
Religious and Spiritual Significance of Kala Ashtami
Kala Ashtami is a special day dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva's fierce form, Kaal Bhairav. Kaal Bhairav is considered the lord of time, eliminating all evil forces. His worship on this day removes obstacles and difficulties from life. Planetary afflictions are also pacified, ensuring peace and happiness.
According to religious beliefs, observing the Kala Ashtami fast brings peace to the mind and soul. Puja, charity, and auspicious deeds performed on this day attract the blessings of Lord Shiva and Kaal Bhairav. This day is particularly beneficial for individuals with planetary afflictions caused by Saturn, Rahu, or Ketu in their horoscopes. Auspicious actions performed on this day bring prosperity and success.
Special Importance of Charity on Kala Ashtami
Kala Ashtami is a special day for the worship of Lord Shiva and Kaal Bhairav. Charity on this day is considered highly auspicious and fruitful. Religious scriptures state that charity performed on Kala Ashtami yields manifold rewards. Therefore, giving charity is highly important on this day.
If you wish to donate, you can give earthenware pots, white clothes, fruits, or food to the needy. These items are very helpful for the poor and helpless. Donating money is also considered highly meritorious on this day. Whatever you donate according to your capacity brings peace and happiness to your home and life.
The most important aspect of giving charity is selflessness. Charity performed without any self-interest, solely for the purpose of attaining divine grace, is pleasing to Lord Shiva. Such charity not only serves society but also brings significant spiritual benefits to your life. Therefore, don't forget to give charity on Kala Ashtami and bring prosperity to your life.
Why Observe the Kala Ashtami Fast?
Observing the Kala Ashtami fast offers several significant benefits. Primarily, it brings peace and tranquility to both body and mind. Fasting leads to mental focus and reduces negative thoughts, resulting in mental purification. This promotes spiritual growth and positive changes in life.
Furthermore, during the fast, one should consume restrained and clean food and listen to stories of Lord Shiva or chant his mantras. This strengthens the fast's effect and attracts divine grace. Thus, the Kala Ashtami fast enhances energy, courage, and inner strength in our lives.
Aarti for Kala Ashtami Puja
Performing the aarti of Lord Shiva's fierce form, Kaal Bhairav, on Kala Ashtami is considered highly auspicious. This aarti is simple and filled with devotion, fostering peace and faith.
Aarti Text:
Jai Kaal Bhairav, Kaal ke Swami,
Sab dukh harne wale, sab manokamna puri karne wale.
Trahi trahi karun main, kripa karo mujh par,
Shiv ke roop mein raudra, Kaal Bhairav Maharaj.
Bhakton ke sankat haro, jeevan mein lao shanti,
Dushton ka nash karo, sabhi badhaaen dur karo.
Tum hi ho jo sabke rakshak,
Tumhari puja se hi jeevan mein aati hai khushhali.
Jai Kaal Bhairav, Jai Kaal Bhairav.
Story of Kala Ashtami Puja
Kala Ashtami is considered a special day for the worship of Lord Shiva's fierce form, Kaal Bhairav. It is said that once, Lord Shiva taught his followers that time (Kaal) is the sustainer of all and destroys all evil forces. Kaal Bhairav is the master of time, protecting dharma (righteousness) and destroying adharma (unrighteousness). Therefore, worshipping him on this day removes all obstacles and brings peace and happiness to life.
According to the story, a prince once faced numerous problems in his life. He sought remedies from many saints and sages, but none could solve his problems. Finally, a saint told him to worship Kaal Bhairav and observe a fast on Kala Ashtami. The prince devoutly observed the fast and worshipped Lord Kaal Bhairav. Afterward, all his problems disappeared, and he lived a happy life. This story highlights the immense power of Kala Ashtami puja.
Therefore, every year, people worship Lord Kaal Bhairav on Masik Kala Ashtami, seek his blessings, and observe a fast. Giving charity is also considered highly auspicious on this day. It is said that this pacifies planetary afflictions in the horoscope and brings prosperity to life. The story of Kala Ashtami puja teaches us that sincere devotion and faith can overcome any obstacle.
Kala Ashtami is an important occasion for the worship and fasting dedicated to Lord Shiva's fierce form, Kaal Bhairav, believed to remove all obstacles and planetary afflictions from life. The devotion, puja, and charity performed on this day bring peace to the mind and soul and prosperity to life. Therefore, the Kala Ashtami fast and puja should be performed with devotion so that the grace of Lord Kaal Bhairav remains and life becomes happy.
