Bhairava Ashtami

 Bhairava Ashtami also known as Bhairavashtami, Bhairava Jayanti, Kala-Ashtami and Kala-Bhairava Jayanti is a Hindu holy day commemorating the manifestation of the deity Bhairava, a fearsome and wrathful manifestation of the god Shiva. It falls on the eighth lunar day in the fortnight of the waning moon (Krishna paksha) in the Hindu month of Kartika (per the South Indian Amavasyant calendar, every month ends with a new moon) or Margashirsha (per the North Indian Purnimant calendar, every month ends with a full moon). By both schemes, Bhairava Ashtami falls on the same day in November–December-January. The name Kalashtami is sometimes used to refer to this day, but might also refer to any ashtami in Krishna paksha, all of which are days sacred to Bhairava.

Bhairava is a manifestation of Shiva's wrath. According to the Shiva Purana, the deities Brahma and Vishnu engaged in a debate regarding their superiority over the other. When Brahma resorted to dishonesty and proclaimed his victory over Vishnu, Shiva appeared and created Bhairava, who cut off one of Brahma's five heads. Brahma begged forgiveness from Shiva for his dishonesty, and he and Vishnu engaged in the worship of Shiva in the form of a lingam.

Shiva temple in Gudh, in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, which has this sacred and rare, 10th or 11th century, reclining idol of Bhairava.

The head of Brahma was stuck to Bhairava's left palm due to the sin of killing Brahma, the most learned Brahmin, called Brahmahatya or Brahminicide. To expiate the sin of Brahmahatya, Bhairava had to perform the vow of a Kapali: wandering the world as a Bhikshatana with the skull of the slain as his begging bowl. Bhairava's sin was finally expiated when he reached the holy city of Varanasi, where a temple dedicated to him still exists. 

In regional tradition, Shiva as Bhairava is considered to have been entrusted with the task of maintaining law and discipline amongst Hindus, as pertaining to their salvation in the city of Varanasi, where the last rites of Hindus are performed in the holy river Ganges, with accountability of their sins and good deeds.

An all-night vigil is observed on Bhairava Ashtami with prayers, worship and tales of Bhairava, Shiva and Parvati being told. In the midnight, an arati of Bhairava should be performed with conches, bells and drums. After taking a bath in the morning, devotees, especially Shiva-worshipping Shaivas offer libations and oblations to their dead ancestors. Then, Bhairava, Shiva, Shiva's consort Parvati and Bhairava's vahana, the dog, is worshipped with flowers and sweets. Dogs are also offered milk, sweets, curds and other food as offerings.