Overview
- The observance falls on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha in Margashirsha, with the 2025 fast kept on Wednesday, November 12.
- Drik Panchang specifies the tithi from about 11:08–11:09 pm on November 11 to 10:58 pm on November 12, aligning with the night-observed Ratri Vyapini rule.
- Devotees are instructed to fast, make three arghya offerings during praharas, and remain awake through the night reciting Shiva narratives and Bhairava mantras.
- Prescribed offerings include lighting a mustard oil lamp, presenting black sesame, urad dal, coconut and mustard oil, and feeding a dog revered as Bhairav’s vahana.
- Reports emphasize Bhairav as the fierce form of Shiva associated with time and death, with worship believed to dispel fear, obstacles, and negativity.