Kalashtami Masik 2023: Date, History, Significance, Rituals

Kalashtami Masik 2023: Masik Kalashtami, Krishna Ashtami, or Kal Ashtami will be celebrated for the month of June, on June 10, 2023. Masik Kalashtami is celebrated each month on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi. On Kalashtami, Hindu devotees observe a daytime fast and worship Lord Bhairav for his blessings.

Kalashtami Masik 2023: Times and dates

Ashadha, Krishna Ashtami
Begin: 10/06/2023 Timing: 02:01:56 PM
End: 11/06/2023 Timing: 12:05:54 PM

Importance of the Masik Kalashtami Fast

In Hinduism, Lord Bhairav, also known as Kaal Bhairav, is considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva. On the day of Kalashtami, devotees worship Kaal Bhairav in order to attain success and prosperity in life, as well as to remove obstacles and impediments. On the eighth day after a waning moon, Kaal Bhairav Puja is performed. According to rituals, devotees chant Kaal Bhairav mantras, donate food and clothing to the impoverished, and feed strays.

Kalashtami Masik 2023: History

It is said that once Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had a dispute regarding the issue of authority supremacy. Lord Shiva convened a meeting in order to settle the dispute when the level of discourse reached a fever pitch. Every pure and spiritual soul present, including Lord Brahma and Vishnu, attended this ceremony. At the conclusion of the gathering, a massive Agnilinga materialised in front of them. None of them were able to see the bottom portion of the Linga despite their best efforts.

Lord Brahma lied to Vishnu this time, claiming he could see the end of the Linga. In this circumstance, Vishnu was forced to acknowledge his failure. But when Shiva arrived, he realised the truth. However, Brahma continued to withhold the truth and disparage Shiva, the Mahadev. Lord Shiva was unable to control himself, so he created Kaal Bhairava to punish him. At that precise instant, Kaal Bhairava severed Brahma’s fifth head. Immediately thereafter, Lord Brahma realised what he had done. He apologised to Shiva and departed without any conceit or ego.

Kalashtami Masik 2023: Rituals

Kalashtami Puja Vidhi On Kalashtami, devotees observe a strict fast and perform puja to Lord Kalabhairav, Lord Shiva, and Parvati. The altar is set up early in the morning after a sacred bath, the Kalabhairav idol is given a holy bath and worship is performed according to the devotee’s desires. The most essential mantra to recite on this day is the Kalabhairava Ashtakam. With petitions for protection, Prasad is offered to the Lord at the conclusion of the puja. During the final phase of the puja, the most auspicious activity on this day is to recite the story of Kalabhairava. Other activities performed on this day include bathing in sacred rivers, offering Tarpan to the spirits of the departed, and feeding black dogs (Kalabhairav rides on a black dog).