Panchangam 1 December 2026 (Tuesday): Kalabhairav Jayanti, Kalashtami and Masik Krishna Janmashtami, Tithi and Puja Vidhi

Quick answer: Tuesday 1 December 2026 is Kalabhairav Jayanti, also listed by Drik Panchang as Kalashtami and Masik Krishna Janmashtami. Krishna Ashtami runs until 11:13 PM, Magha nakshatra until 9:00 AM, then Purva Phalguni. Sunrise in Hyderabad is 6:30 AM and sunset 5:40 PM.

Kala Bhairava is not a gentle deity, and that is precisely why many people find him comforting. He is the guardian at the gate, the lord of time who sees through pretence, and the protector whom devotees remember before a journey or a difficult task. On his Jayanti, a lamp, a prayer and an act of kindness to a dog are all part of the day.

Today's panchang (Hyderabad, IST)

Source: Drik Panchang day panchang for Hyderabad. Tithi and nakshatra end times are in Indian Standard Time and change at the same instant everywhere in India; sunrise, sunset and moonrise differ by a few minutes from city to city.

Today's observances

• Kalabhairav Jayanti: the appearance day of Kala Bhairava. Our Kalabhairava Jayanti 2026 guide covers it in depth.
• Kalashtami: the monthly Bhairava Ashtami, today in its most important form.
• Masik Krishna Janmashtami: a monthly remembrance of Krishna's birth on Krishna Ashtami, kept by some Vaishnava families.
• Karthika continues: in the Telugu calendar this is Karthika Bahula Ashtami, and the evening lamp continues.

Religious significance

As the story is commonly told from the Shiva Purana tradition, Brahma once grew proud and spoke disrespectfully of Shiva. From Shiva's wrath arose Bhairava, who severed one of Brahma's five heads. Bearing the sin of that act, Bhairava wandered as a mendicant with the skull stuck to his hand, until he reached Kashi, where it finally fell away. Shiva then appointed him the Kotwal, the guardian, of the sacred city. Pilgrims to Varanasi traditionally visit the Kalabhairava temple, and tradition holds that his permission is sought for a stay in Kashi. Read more in the Kalabhairava temple, guardian of Kashi.

The story is less about punishment than about the cutting away of ego, even in the highest beings. Bhairava's dark form, his trident, his skull-garland and his dog all point to the same idea: time (kala) consumes every pretension, and the devotee who faces that truth has nothing to fear. The Kalabhairava Ashtakam, a hymn traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya and composed in Kashi, is widely chanted today; see Kalabhairava Ashtakam lyrics and meaning.

Drik lists Goddess Durga as Tuesday's deity, and in many homes Tuesday is also for Hanuman or Murugan. These sit easily beside Bhairava, who in Shakta tradition is the guardian accompanying the Goddess at her shrines.

Simple puja vidhi

• Morning: bathe and light a lamp, ideally with mustard or sesame oil, before an image of Kala Bhairava or Shiva.
• Offerings: flowers, a little vibhuti, black sesame and a simple naivedya such as jaggery or a sweet made at home.
• Chanting: the mantra below, or the Kalabhairava Ashtakam if you know it.
• Evening: many devotees visit a Bhairava or Shiva temple in the evening; the Ashtami lasts until 11:13 PM.
• Kindness: feed a dog, following the widespread custom honouring Bhairava's vahana.

No-materials alternative: sit quietly, chant the mantra and offer a sincere prayer for courage and clarity. Feeding a hungry animal is itself a meaningful offering.

For detailed steps, see the Kalabhairava Ashtami 2026 puja vidhi and mantras.

Mantra for the day

Om Kālabhairavāya Namaḥ

Meaning: "Om, salutations to Kala Bhairava," the lord of time. Chant 11, 21 or 108 times. Devotees chant it for courage and steadiness; it is a prayer, not a guarantee of protection from every misfortune.

Fasting

Some devotees fast until evening worship or keep a single meal. It is a personal choice. Elderly people, pregnant women and anyone with diabetes or another medical condition should not feel obliged to fast and should consult a doctor before doing so.

What you can do today

• Light a mustard or sesame-oil lamp for Kala Bhairava in the morning or evening.
• Read or listen to the Kalabhairava Ashtakam.
• Feed a stray or community dog with suitable food.
• Visit a Bhairava or Shiva temple in the evening, if one is near.
• Spend a few minutes on how you use your time, in the spirit of the lord of time.
• Krishna devotees can offer tulasi and butter for Masik Janmashtami.

With family and children

Introduce Bhairava to children as the protector at the door, a friend of dogs and a keeper of time. Let them help feed a neighbourhood dog with an adult present. The fierce images can be explained simply: he looks strong so that the people he protects need not be afraid.

Hindus abroad: sunrise, tithi and nakshatra in your city

If you live outside India, do not convert the Hyderabad times above. The table below gives each city's own local sunrise and sunset, with the tithi and nakshatra prevailing at that local sunrise.

Computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day, so follow your temple's panchang.

Ashtami prevails at local sunrise in every city above except Sydney, where Saptami is still running. Follow your temple's calendar for Kalabhairav Jayanti abroad.

Frequently asked questions

When is Kalabhairav Jayanti 2026?

Tuesday 1 December 2026. Krishna Ashtami begins at 12:11 AM and ends at 11:13 PM IST, covering the whole day and evening. It is the Ashtami of Margashirsha in the North Indian purnimanta calendar (Karthika Bahula Ashtami in the Telugu calendar).

Who is Kala Bhairava?

Kala Bhairava is a fierce form of Shiva, worshipped as the lord of time (kala) and the guardian of sacred places. He is especially revered as the Kotwal, or protector, of Kashi (Varanasi).

What is Kalashtami?

Kalashtami is the monthly Krishna Paksha Ashtami dedicated to Bhairava. The Kalashtami that falls in Margashirsha (purnimanta) is the most important, as it is observed as Kalabhairav Jayanti.

Why is Masik Krishna Janmashtami also today?

Every Krishna Paksha Ashtami is observed by some Vaishnavas as a monthly Janmashtami, recalling Krishna's birth on Ashtami. So today honours both Bhairava and Krishna, according to each family's tradition.

Do I need to fast on Kalabhairav Jayanti?

No. Many devotees fast or keep a single meal, but it is optional. Elderly people, pregnant women and anyone with a medical condition should not feel obliged and should consult a doctor first.

Is it true that dogs are fed on Kalabhairav Jayanti?

Yes, it is a widespread custom. The dog is regarded as Bhairava's vahana (vehicle), so many devotees feed stray or community dogs as an act of kindness on this day.

A closing thought

Kala Bhairava reminds us that time is the one guest who always arrives. Meet him without fear tonight: light a lamp, feed a hungry creature and use the hours given to you well.

Previous and next day

• Previous day: Panchang Monday 30 November 2026
• Next day: Panchang Wednesday 2 December 2026
• The month at a glance: December 2026 Hindu festivals: dates, rituals and significance

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.

Related guides

• How to pray to Lord Kalabhairava: mantras and poojas
• Kashi Vishwanath temple, Varanasi
• Karthika Masam 2026 calendar day by day