Kalashtami 2026: All Dates and Kala Bhairav Puja

कालाष्टमी 2026

New Delhi, Delhi · IST

The next Kalashtami is on 1 November 2026, Sunday (Krishna Ashtami: 2:52 PM to 1:11 PM (2 Nov)).

Kalashtami 2026: all dates

Months are amanta (a month ends on Amavasya, as in South and West India). North Indian purnimanta calendars name the dark fortnight one month later.

Date	Hindu month	Tithi
10 Jan, Saturday	Pausha	Krishna Ashtami: 8:24 AM to 10:20 AM (11 Jan)
9 Feb, Monday	Magha	Krishna Ashtami: 5:01 AM to 7:27 AM (10 Feb)
11 Mar, WednesdayAlso: Sheetala Ashtami (Basoda)	Phalguna	Krishna Ashtami: 1:54 AM to 4:19 AM (12 Mar)
10 Apr, Friday	Chaitra	Krishna Ashtami: 9:20 PM (9 Apr) to 11:16 PM
9 May, Saturday	Vaishakha	Krishna Ashtami: 2:03 PM to 3:07 PM (10 May)
8 Jun, Monday	Adhik Jyeshtha	Krishna Ashtami: 3:25 AM to 3:24 AM (9 Jun)
7 Jul, Tuesday	Jyeshtha	Krishna Ashtami: 1:25 PM to 12:22 PM (8 Jul)
5 Aug, Wednesday	Ashadha	Krishna Ashtami: 8:42 PM to 6:53 PM (6 Aug)
4 Sep, FridayAlso: Krishna Janmashtami	Shravana	Krishna Ashtami: 2:25 AM to 12:14 AM (5 Sep)
3 Oct, SaturdayAlso: Jivitputrika Vrat (Jitiya)	Bhadrapada	Krishna Ashtami: 8:00 AM to 5:52 AM (4 Oct)
1 Nov, SundayAlso: Ahoi Ashtami	Ashwin	Krishna Ashtami: 2:52 PM to 1:11 PM (2 Nov)
1 Dec, Tuesday	Kartika	Krishna Ashtami: 12:12 AM to 11:14 PM
30 Dec, Wednesday	Margashirsha	Krishna Ashtami: 12:36 PM to 12:32 PM (31 Dec)

Timings vary by city. Every time here is for New Delhi's sunrise, sunset and moonrise; in another city they shift by a few minutes and occasionally the date does too. Dates follow Drik Panchang's Smarta (default) reckoning. Check the Panchang for your own city.

What Kalashtami is and how it is observed

Kalashtami (Kala Ashtami) is the monthly day of Lord Kala Bhairava, the fierce form of Shiva who guards time, kept on Ashtami, the 8th tithi, of the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha). Devotees fast, worship Bhairava at night with a mustard-oil lamp and offerings such as black sesame, and feed dogs, which are associated with him.

The Kalashtami of Margashirsha in the purnimanta calendar (Kartika in the amanta calendar) is Kalabhairava Jayanti, his appearance day and the most important of the year.

How the date is fixed

Krishna Ashtami: tithi prevailing in Pradosh kaal (after sunset).

Kalashtami is a night worship, so the date is the day on which Ashtami is running in Pradosh kaal (the evening window after sunset); the tithi may begin the previous morning or end during the night, so check its start and end times in the table. If it touches Pradosh kaal on two evenings, the earlier evening is taken. Some traditions go by the midnight tithi instead, which can occasionally differ by a day.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Kalashtami dates in 2026?

There are 13 Kalashtami dates in 2026 (New Delhi): 10 Jan, Saturday; 9 Feb, Monday; 11 Mar, Wednesday; 10 Apr, Friday; 9 May, Saturday; 8 Jun, Monday; 7 Jul, Tuesday; 5 Aug, Wednesday; 4 Sep, Friday; 3 Oct, Saturday; 1 Nov, Sunday; 1 Dec, Tuesday; 30 Dec, Wednesday.

When is the next Kalashtami?

Kalashtami is on 1 November 2026, Sunday (Krishna Ashtami: 2:52 PM to 1:11 PM (2 Nov)).

At what time does the Kalashtami tithi start and end on 1 Nov?

For New Delhi - Krishna Ashtami: 2:52 PM to 1:11 PM (2 Nov). Timings vary by city by a few minutes; check the Panchang for your city.

How is the Kalashtami date decided?

The date follows the rule: Krishna Ashtami: tithi prevailing in Pradosh kaal (after sunset). In 2026 this gives 13 dates (New Delhi).

See the Panchang for your city — free