Kal Bhairav Mandir
Kotwal of Ujjain, Senapati of Mahakal
Now
- 6:30 AM The doors open
- 8:00 AM Morning aarti
- 8:30 PM Evening aarti
- 9:30 PM The doors close
Today at the mandir. Times are in Indian Standard Time.
On the bank of the Shipra at Bhairavgarh stands the temple of Kal Bhairav, revered as the guardian and Kotwal of Ujjain. The shrine is mentioned in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana and is known across India for its Tantric tradition of offering liquor to the deity. Pilgrims hold that a visit to Mahakal is complete only after darshan here.
At a glance
- Deity
- Kal Bhairav, a fierce form of Shiva
- Revered as
- Kotwal (guardian) of Ujjain and Senapati of Mahakal
- Tradition
- Shaiva and Tantric; foremost of the Ashta Bhairava
- Known for
- Liquor (madira) offered to the deity as bhog
- Scriptural mention
- Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana
- Era
- Ancient site with Paramara-period (9th–13th century) remains; present structure Maratha, 18th century
- Location
- Bhairavgarh, on the Shipra, about 6 km north of Mahakaleshwar
- Main festival
- Bhairav Ashtami (Kal Bhairav Jayanti)
Darshan timings
Darshan hours
- General darshanEvery day6:30AM to 9:30PM
Opening 6:30 am and closing 9:30 pm as reported in May 2026. Other listings give 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Hours can change on festivals and sawari days.
Aarti and daily rituals
- Morning aartiEvery day8:00AM to 8:30AM
Start time as reported in May 2026; the end time is approximate. Several travel sites list 7:00 to 8:00 am instead.
- Evening aartiEvery day8:30PM to 9:00PM
Start time as reported in May 2026; the end time is approximate. Several travel sites list 6:00 to 7:00 pm instead.
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Confirm at the mandir before you travel.
See all timingsPuja and seva
Booking here only reserves your place. You pay at the mandir counter; this website takes no money.
Madira Bhog
The offering for which the temple is known. The devotee hands the liquor to the priest, who pours it into a dish, offers it at the lips of the deity with prayers and returns the rest as prasad. It is optional and is done only through the priest.
Ask about this pujaDaily bhog and aarti
The priests perform the regular worship of the deity through the day. According to the temple priests, bhog is offered five times daily, each time after puja, and aarti is performed in the morning and in the evening.
Ask about this pujaPushpa, Nariyal and Prasad offering
The usual offering basket holds marigold flowers, a coconut and incense. Devotees also offer laddus, and since the liquor ban many bring chana, chironji and coconut as prasad.
Ask about this puja
Festivals through the year
- November
Bhairav Ashtami (Kal Bhairav Jayanti)
Krishna Ashtami of Margashirsha (Aghan), November or December
The appearance day of Kal Bhairav and the biggest festival of the temple. The shrine is decorated with flowers, a birth aarti is performed at midnight and chhappan bhog is offered. On the following day the deity goes out in sawari.
- February
Mahashivratri
Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalguna, February or March
The great night of Shiva brings very large crowds to Ujjain, and most pilgrims who come for Mahakal also visit Kal Bhairav. Expect long queues.
- April
Simhastha Kumbh
Once in twelve years on the Shipra, in Chaitra and Vaishakha (April and May); the next is due in 2028
During the Simhastha fair millions of pilgrims and sadhus gather in Ujjain, and Kal Bhairav is among the shrines they visit. During the 2016 Simhastha the offering at this temple was allowed to continue even while liquor sales in the city were suspended.