Kalashtami is the Krishna-paksha Ashtami (8th tithi of the waning fortnight) of every lunar month, sacred to Kaal Bhairav — the fierce form of Shiva who governs time. The Margashirsha Kalashtami is Kalabhairav Jayanti, his appearance day. Dates below are computed for New Delhi.
| Date | Day | Name | Paksha / Month | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jan 2027UPCOMING | Fri | Kalashtami (Magha) | Krishna · Pausha | 29 Jan, 4:3 AM | 30 Jan, 4:58 AM |
| 28 Feb 2027 | Sun | Kalashtami (Phalguna) | Krishna · Magha | 27 Feb, 9:55 PM | 28 Feb, 11:47 PM |
| 29 Mar 2027 | Mon | Kalashtami (Chaitra) | Krishna · Phalguna | 28 Mar, 3:5 PM | 29 Mar, 5:11 PM |
| 28 Apr 2027 | Wed | Kalashtami (Vaishakha) | Krishna · Chaitra | 27 Apr, 9:58 AM | 28 Apr, 12:31 PM |
| 28 May 2027 | Fri | Kalashtami (Jyeshtha) | Krishna · Vaishakha | 27 May, 4:5 AM | 28 May, 6:27 AM |
| 27 Jun 2027 | Sun | Kalashtami (Ashadha) | Krishna · Jyeshtha | 26 Jun, 9:52 PM | 27 Jun, 10:45 PM |
| 26 Jul 2027 | Mon | Kalashtami (Shravana) | Krishna · Ashadha | 25 Jul, 9:53 AM | 26 Jul, 10:25 AM |
| 24 Aug 2027 | Tue | Kalashtami (Bhadrapada) | Krishna · Shravana | 23 Aug, 8:53 PM | 24 Aug, 8:25 PM |
| 23 Sept 2027 | Thu | Kalashtami (Ashwina) | Krishna · Bhadrapada | 23 Sept, 4:37 AM | 24 Sept, 2:57 AM |
| 22 Oct 2027 | Fri | Kalashtami (Kartika) | Krishna · Ashwina | 21 Oct, 1:43 PM | 22 Oct, 11:56 AM |
| 20 Dec 2027 | Mon | Kalashtami (Pausha) | Krishna · Margashirsha | 20 Dec, 3:34 AM | 21 Dec, 1:53 AM |
All dates & times computed for New Delhi (IST) with the Swiss Ephemeris + Lahiri ayanamsa — not copied.
Kalashtami is the monthly night of Kaal Bhairav, kept on the waning-fortnight Ashtami. Bhairav is worshipped as the remover of fear, the punisher of wrongdoing and the master of time; his vrat is traditionally kept for protection, discipline and relief from Rahu- and Shani-related afflictions.
The worship is done in the evening or night — a mustard-oil lamp, black sesame, and the Kalabhairav Ashtakam of Adi Shankaracharya are its heart. Feeding dogs, Bhairav's companions, is considered especially meritorious on this day.
There are 11 Kalashtami in 2027 for the Delhi region — one each lunar month on the Krishna Ashtami, including Kalabhairav Jayanti in Margashirsha.
Kaal Bhairav is the fierce manifestation of Shiva, the lord of time (kaal) and the guardian (kshetrapal) of sacred places — famously of Kashi, where he is the city's kotwal.
The Kalashtami of Margashirsha (November–December) is observed as Kalabhairav Jayanti, the day of Bhairav's manifestation.
Devotees fast, worship Bhairav at night with mustard-oil lamps, recite the Kalabhairav Ashtakam, and feed dogs — his vahana. Practice varies by tradition.
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