Bhairava Ashtami
bhairava ashtami sanskrit भैरवाष्टमी romanized bhairavāṣṭamī also known bhairavashtami bhairava jayanti kalabhairava ashtami kalabhairava jayanti hindu holy day commemorating manifestation deity bhairava fearsome wrathful manifestation god shiva fall eighth lunar day ashtami fortnight waning moon krishna paksha hindu month kartika per south indian amavasyant calendar every month end new moon margashirsha per north indian purnimant calendar every month end full moon scheme bhairava ashtami fall day november–decemberjanuary name kalashtami sometimes used refer day might also refer ashtami krishna paksha day sacred bhairava bhairava manifestation shiva wrath according shiva purana deity brahma vishnu engaged debate regarding superiority brahma resorted dishonesty proclaimed victory vishnu shiva appeared created bhairava cut one brahma five head brahma begged forgiveness shiva dishonesty vishnu engaged worship shiva form lingam head brahma stuck bhairavas left palm due sin killing brahma learned brahmin called brahmahatya brahminicide expiate sin brahmahatya bhairava perform vow kapali wandering world bhikshatana skull slain begging bowl bhairavas sin finally expiated reached holy city varanasi temple dedicated still exists regional tradition shiva bhairava considered entrusted task maintaining law discipline amongst hindu pertaining salvation city varanasi last rite hindu performed holy river ganges accountability sin good deed allnight vigil observed bhairava ashtami prayer worship tale bhairava shiva parvati told midnight arati bhairava performed conch bell drum taking bath morning devotee especially shivaworshipping shaivas offer libation oblation dead ancestor bhairava shiva shiva consort parvati bhairavas vahana animal vehicle dog worshipped flower sweet dog also offered milk sweet curd food offering day considered holier bhairava ashtami fall sunday tuesday sacred weekday dedicated bhairava bhairava specifically worshipped success wealth health obstacle removal devotee said freed sin fear death observing bhairava ashtami bhairava ashtami observed bhairav prasad temple vaishno devi hill kashmir day image kalabhairava made gold silver immersed brass metal pot filled water worshipped scriptural prayer done shiva priest puja offered gift varanasi eightday pilgrimage eight temple dedicated ashta bhairava eight subsidiary aspect bhairava undertaken first eight day fortnight culminating bhairava ashtami bhairava ashtami kala bhairava city guardian deity worshipped temple rest year cloth cover central icon except face however day cloth removed reveal whole image image adorned garland silver skull day several devotee flood temple capture unique opportunity view whole image