Bhairava Ashtami, also known as Bhairavashtami, Bhairava Jayanti, Kala-Bhairava

Ashtami and Kala-Bhairava Jayanti is a Hindu holy day commemorating the birthday
of Bhairava (lit. "terrible"), a fearsome and wrathful manifestation of the god
Shiva.[2] It falls on the eighth lunar day (ashtami) in the fortnight of the wa
ning moon (Krishna paksha) in the Hindu month of Kartik (per the South Indian Am
avasyant calendar, every month ends with a new moon) or Margashirsha (per the No
rth Indian Purnimant calendar, every month ends with a full moon). By both schem
es, Bhairava Ashtami falls on the same day in November December.[3] The name Kalas
htami is sometimes used to refer to this day, but might also refer to any ashtam
i in Krishna paksha, all of which are sacred days of Bhairava, who is also calle
d also Dandapani (as holds a rod or Danda to punish sinners) and he rides a dog
he is also known as Swaswa meaning "whose horse is a dog".[4]
Legend
Bhairava is an manifestation of Shiva's wrath. According to the legend narrated
on the occasion, the Trimurti gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were talking in a s
erious mood as to who was superior of them all. In the heated debate, Shiva felt
slighted by remarks made by Brahma and instructed his ganor Bhairava to cut off
one of Brahma s five heads. Bhairava followed Shiva s orders and one head of Brahma
was cut off and thus he became four headed. Instilled with fear, all others pra
yed to Shiva and Bhairava.[4]
Another slightly modified version is that when Brahma insulted Shiva, Bhairava (
Kala-Bhairava) appeared from the angry Shiva's forehead and severed Brahma's hea
d, leaving him with only four heads. The head of Brahma stuck to Bhairava's left
palm due to the sin of killing Brahma, the most learned Brahmin Brahmahatya or
Brahminicide. To expiate the sin of brahmahatya, Bhairava had to perform the vow
of a Kapali: wandering the world as a naked beggar with the skull of the slain
as his begging bowl. Bhairava's sin is finally expiated when he reaches the holy
city of Varanasi, where a temple dedicated to him still exists.[2]
Practices
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v t e
An all-night vigil is observed on Bhairava Ashtami with prayers, worship and tal
es of Bhairava, Shiva and Parvati being told. In the midnight, an arati of Bhair
ava should be performed with conches, bells and drums. After taking a bath in th
e morning, devotees, especially Shiva-worshipping Shaivas offer libations and ob
lations to their dead ancestors. Then, Bhairava, Shiva, Shiva's consort Parvati
and Bhairava's vahana (animal vehicle), the dog, is worshipped with flowers and
sweets. Dogs are also offered milk, sweets, curds and other food as offerings.[2
][4][5][6]
The day is considered holier if Bhairava Ashtami falls on a Sunday or a Tuesday,
sacred weekdays dedicated to Bhairava.[6] Bhairava is specifically worshipped f
or success, wealth, health and obstacle removal.[5] A devotee is said to be free
d of sin and the fear of death by observing Bhairava Ashtami.[6]
Bhairava Ashtami is observed in Bhairav Prasad Temple in Vaishno Devi hills in K
ashmir. On this day, an image of Kala-Bhairava is made in gold or silver and imm
ersed in a brass metal pot filled with water and worshipped with all scriptural
prayers, as is done to Shiva. Then, the priests who do the puja are offered gift
s.[7]
In Varanasi, an eight-day pilgrimage of the eight temples dedicated to Ashta Bha
irava, eight subsidiary aspects of Bhairava, is undertaken on the first eight da
ys of the fortnight, culminating with Bhairava Ashtami. On Bhairava Ashtami, Kal
a Bhairava, the city's guardian deity, is worshipped in his temple. For the rest
of a year, a cloth covers the central icon, except his face, however on this da
y, the cloth is removed to reveal the whole image. The image is adorned with a g
arland of silver skulls on this day. Several devotees flood the temple to captur
e the unique opportunity to view the whole image.[8][9]
References
http://www.pujadatetime.in/2016/01/2016-hindu-festivals-list.html
Lochtefeld, James G. (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M. ABC-
CLIO. p. 96. ISBN 9781598842050.
Masik Kalashtami 2012
Sehgal, Sunil (1999). Encyclopaedia of Hinduism: C-G, Volume 2. Sarup & Sons. pp
. 491 2. ISBN 9788176250641.
Bhairava Ashtami. (2010). In Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World
Dictionary. Omnigraphics, Inc.
Dwivedi, Dr. Bhojraj (2006). Religious Basis Of Hindu Beliefs. Diamond Pocket Bo
oks (P) Ltd. p. 132. ISBN 9788128812392.
Bhargava, Gopal K; Bhatt, S. C.. (2002). Land and People of Indian States and Un
ion Territories. Gyan Publishing House. p. 451. ISBN 9788178353814. Retrieved 29
November 2012.
Eck, Diana L. (1982). Banaras: City of Light. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 274.
ISBN 9788120808799.
Subodh Kapoor (2002). The Indian Encyclopaedia: Biographical, Historical, Religi
ous, Administrative, Ethnological, Commercial and Scientific. Kamli-Kyouk Phyu.
Cosmo. p. 3903. ISBN 978-81-7755-270-6. Retrieved 29 November 2012.