The next Kalashtami is on Sunday, 1 November 2026 in New Delhi. There are 13 Kalashtami days in 2026. Each date, with its tithi times, is worked out below for New Delhi.
Timings for New Delhi, checked 26 October 2026.
Next Kalashtami: Sunday 1 November, in 6 days
Times are India Standard Time, worked out for New Delhi.
Kalashtami, or Kala Ashtami, is the Ashtami of the dark half of every lunar month, kept for Kala Bhairava, the fierce form of Shiva who guards Kashi. It comes twelve or thirteen times a year; the one in Margashirsha (Kartika in the south's reckoning) is Kala Bhairava Jayanti, the greatest of them.
Each Kalashtami is the day Krishna Ashtami is still current when Pradosh ends, the first fifth of the night after sunset, because Bhairava's worship belongs to the night. That can be the day Ashtami begins, with Saptami at sunrise.
Devotees fast and worship Bhairava in the evening and at night, when the tradition places his worship. Mustard oil lamps are lit, the Kala Bhairava Ashtakam is recited, and black sesame, urad and flowers are offered. Dogs, held to be Bhairava's companions, are fed. Many visit a Bhairava temple at night.
Short answers about the 2026 dates, for New Delhi.
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Add to my calendarBecause the tradition places the worship of Kala Bhairava in the night, so the day is chosen by the Ashtami that is current then. This page gives each date with the Ashtami's times for your city.
The Kalashtami of Margashirsha (Kartika in the south's reckoning), kept as the day Bhairava appeared. It is the greatest of the year's Kalashtamis.
13, worked out for New Delhi.
On Sunday, 1 November 2026 in New Delhi.
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