Devotees of Lord Kaal Bhairav will observe Masik Kalashtami on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, one of the most sacred monthly occasions dedicated to Lord Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. The festival is observed every month on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami (eighth day of the waning phase of the Moon) and is believed to remove negative influences, grant protection and bless devotees with prosperity and spiritual strength.

According to the Hindu calendar, the Ashtami Tithi will begin at 1:25 PM on July 7 and conclude at 12:22 PM on July 8 (IST, Ujjain).

Kalashtami 2026: Important Timings

• Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026

• Ashtami Tithi Begins: 1:25 PM (July 7)

• Ashtami Tithi Ends: 12:22 PM (July 8)

• Sunrise: 5:51 AM

• Sunset: 7:12 PM

• Moonrise: 11:58 PM

• Moonset: 12:02 PM

Significance of Masik Kalashtami

Masik Kalashtami is dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav, who is revered as the guardian deity of time and protector of devotees. In Hindu tradition, Lord Bhairav is considered a powerful form of Lord Shiva who removes fear, negativity and obstacles from life.

The significance of Kalashtami is mentioned in the Aditya Purana, where worshipping Lord Bhairav on this day is believed to bring peace, prosperity and protection from evil influences. Devotees also seek forgiveness for past mistakes and pray for good health, success and spiritual progress.

Among the twelve Kalashtami observances held each year, the one falling in the Margashirsha month is celebrated as Kalabhairav Jayanti, the most important festival dedicated to the deity.

Rituals Observed on Kalashtami

Devotees begin the day with an early morning bath before sunrise and observe a strict fast throughout the day. Special prayers and rituals are performed at Kaal Bhairav temples, especially during the evening.

The main rituals include:

• Offering flowers, incense, fruits and sweets to Lord Kaal Bhairav.

• Chanting Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam, Shiva mantras and other sacred hymns.

• Reading or listening to the Kaal Bhairav Katha.

• Performing prayers for ancestors during the morning.

• Visiting Lord Kaal Bhairav temples in the evening for special worship.

• Many devotees observe a night vigil, spending the night in prayer and devotional activities.

A unique tradition associated with Kalashtami is feeding dogs, regarded as the sacred vehicle (Vahana) of Lord Bhairav. Devotees commonly offer milk, curd, sweets and other food items to stray dogs as an act of devotion.

Offering food to Brahmins and donating to the needy are also considered highly meritorious on this occasion.

Spiritual Importance

According to Hindu beliefs, observing the Kalashtami Vrat with sincerity helps devotees overcome fear, remove obstacles, ward off negative energies and attain prosperity and happiness.

Mythological accounts state that Lord Bhairav manifested when Lord Shiva, angered during a dispute with Lord Brahma, assumed a fierce form and severed Brahma's fifth head. Since then, Lord Kaal Bhairav has been worshipped as the divine guardian of righteousness and time.

Kalashtami Dates in 2026

Following the July observance, the remaining Kalashtami dates in 2026 are:

• August 5

• September 4

• October 3

• November 1

• December 1

• December 30

Devotees across India, particularly at prominent Kaal Bhairav temples in Ujjain, Varanasi and other Shiva pilgrimage centres, are expected to observe the monthly festival with traditional rituals, fasting and special prayers.

Kalashtami 2026 on April 10: Devotees Gear Up for Kaal Bhairav Puja

As Kalashtami 2026 falls on April 10, Hindu devotees across India are preparing to observe the sacred day dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav with fasting, special prayers and temple visits.

Kalashtami 2026 Date Confirmed  

Kalashtami 2026 will be observed on Friday, April 10. The Ashtami Tithi begins at 9:20 pm on April 9 and ends at 11:16 pm on April 10, according to the Hindu calendar for Ujjain. With just two days remaining, families are finalising their plans for the vrat and puja.

Traditional Rituals to Observe  

Devotees wake before sunrise for a ritual bath and perform early morning puja to Lord Kaal Bhairav. Many visit Bhairav temples in the evening, offering prayers and seeking forgiveness for past sins. A strict fast is kept throughout the day, while some observers stay awake at night listening to stories of Mahakaleshwar. Feeding black dogs with milk, curd and sweets is an important custom, as the animal is considered the vehicle of Lord Bhairav. Offering food to Brahmins at pilgrim sites such as Kashi is also believed to bring special merit.

Important Tithi Timings  

Sunrise on April 10 is at 6:14 am and sunset at 6:41 pm. Moonrise occurs at 1:14 am and moonset at 12:56 pm. These timings, calculated for Ujjain, serve as the standard reference for observers across the country. The festival gains extra importance when it falls on a Sunday or Tuesday, days traditionally linked to Lord Bhairav.

Legend of Lord Bhairav  

According to the Aditya Purana, Lord Shiva took the fierce form of Kaal Bhairav after an argument among Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. In this manifestation, Shiva severed the fifth head of Brahma to control his anger. Since then, Kaal Bhairav has been worshipped as the God of Time who protects devotees from negative forces. The day is especially significant for followers of Lord Shiva.

Blessings from Kalashtami Vrat  

Those who observe the fast and rituals with devotion are believed to receive prosperity, happiness and success in all endeavours. The vrat is said to remove suffering, pain and negative influences from life. Hindu scriptures emphasise that sincere worship on Kalashtami brings divine blessings from Lord Shiva himself.

Devotees Across India  

Temples dedicated to Kaal Bhairav witness heavy footfall during Kalashtami. From Varanasi to smaller shrines in towns and villages, the atmosphere is filled with bhajans and chants. The festival is celebrated with full enthusiasm in different parts of the country, reflecting the deep-rooted faith in this fierce yet protective form of Shiva.

Full List of 2026 Dates  

Besides April 10, the remaining Kalashtami dates for 2026 are: May 9, June 8, July 7, August 5, September 4, October 3, November 1, December 1 and December 30. The most important among the twelve annual observances is the one in Margashirsha month, known as Kalabhairav Jayanti.

With Kalashtami 2026 just days away, the festival once again reminds millions of the power of devotion and the importance of seeking Lord Bhairav’s blessings for peace and prosperity in the year ahead.