Kalashtami 14 March

Kalashtami is a Hindu festival that honors the avatar of Shiva known as Kaal Bhairava. During this celebration, devotees perform Kala worship to seek blessings from Kaal Bhairava. Fasting is also a common practice among his followers to please him. Many Kala worshippers also take a holy bath in the Ganges River before performing the rituals.

This festival is also known as Bhairava Jayanthi as it is believed to be Kaal Bhairava’s birthday. Temples are decorated, and idols of Kaal Bhairava are adorned with black clothes for the Puja ceremony. Black dog idols are also brought to the temple and worshipped as they are considered to be the vehicles of Bhairava.

The Vrat or fast associated with Bhairava is performed to gain happiness and wealth. It is considered an auspicious day to seek blessings from Shiva by performing Puja rituals to his idols after the Bhairava Puja.

The following rituals are performed on Kalashtami:

1. Take a bath and then offer prayers to Kaal Bhairava for his blessings.
2. Seek blessings from Shiva and pray for the salvation of ancestors.
3. After performing Bhairava Puja, recite Bhairava Manters before the idol.
4. The Katha is recited to praise Bhairava and as a ritual activity.
5. Offer gifts to the Bhairava idols and wash them in the Ganges River.
6. Black animals, especially dogs, are worshipped and presented with Puja offerings as they are believed to be the vehicles of Bhairava.
7. Food products and new clothes are donated to the poor Kala worshippers.

Overall, Kalashtami is an important festival that allows devotees to seek blessings from Kaal Bhairava and Shiva, and to perform rituals to honor their deities.