Ujjain Simhastha 2028 · Ghats and temples
Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain
The Kal Bhairav Temple stands on the bank of the Shipra, away from Ujjain's old city, and is dedicated to Kal Bhairav, chief of the eight Bhairavas of the Shaiva tradition. The Ujjain district says it is believed to have been built by King Bhadresen, and that a Kal Bhairav temple is mentioned in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana.
It is a place of darshan, not a Simhastha bathing ghat. The Simhastha is planned for 27 March to 27 May 2028. No bathing date has been announced, and the temple has not announced its arrangements for 2028.
Kal Bhairav Temple at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where | On the bank of the Shipra. The district’s Places of Interest page puts it about 4 km from the city; the Mahakaleshwar temple’s website says about 8 km. Neither gives a distance from Ram Ghat. |
| Deity | Kal Bhairav, chief of the eight Bhairavas of the Shaiva tradition (Ujjain district) |
| Built | Believed to have been built by King Bhadresen (Ujjain district); MP Tourism names him King Bhadrasen of Mahishmati, now Maheshwar |
| Known for | Liquor offered to the deity as part of the ritual, a tradition the district says is still followed |
| Temple hours | Not given by an official source we could find; check locally |
| Busiest times | Not given by an official source |
| Simhastha 2028 | Monday 27 March to Saturday 27 May 2028 (expected). Bathing days not announced. |
| 2028 arrangements | Not announced |
The Kal Bhairav tradition
The worship of the eight Bhairavas is part of the Shaiva tradition, and Kal Bhairav is the chief among them, the Ujjain district says. MP Tourism describes him as an attendant of Shiva and the guardian deity of the city. The district’s culture page notes that, according to the Skanda Purana, Ujjain has 8 Bhairavs, along with 84 Mahadevs, 64 Yoginis and 6 Vinayakas.
According to tradition the temple was built by King Bhadresen, and the district notes that a Kal Bhairav temple is mentioned in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana. MP Tourism gives the king’s name as Bhadrasen of Mahishmati, today’s Maheshwar.
The worship of Kal Bhairav is believed to have been part of the Kapalika and Aghora sects, and Ujjain was a prominent centre of both, the district says. Its Places of Interest page adds that the temple has a special place for the Kapalik and Aughad traditions.
Offerings and what you see there
Liquor is still offered to Kal Bhairav as part of the ritual, the Ujjain district says. MP Tourism lists the offerings as flowers, coconut, incense and liquor, bought from shops outside the temple and handed to the priest in the sanctum (garbhagriha). The priest offers half of the liquor to the deity and returns the rest to the devotee as prasad.
Paintings in the Malwa style once decorated the temple walls; only traces of them can be seen now, the district says.
This is a place of worship all year. Respect the rituals you see, and ask before you photograph anyone.
Getting there from Ram Ghat
Official sources do not give a route or a distance from Ram Ghat, the main Simhastha ghat. MP Tourism says you reach the temple by crossing the bridge over the Shipra. The district’s Places of Interest page puts it about 4 km from the city, and the Mahakaleshwar temple’s website about 8 km, so ask locally for the current road.
MP Tourism says the Sandipani Ashram is close to both the Kal Bhairav and Mangalnath temples. The Ujjain ghats guide covers Ram Ghat and the other sacred places on the river.
Kal Bhairav and the Simhastha 2028
- Dates: the Simhastha is planned for Monday 27 March to Saturday 27 May 2028 (expected). No bathing date has been announced. See what is announced about the dates.
- Temple upgrade: in August 2025 a Simhastha review chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey approved a Rs 163 crore plan to upgrade the Kal Bhairav temple complex, with a new approach road, three parking areas, a dharamshala and a facility centre, and cleared it to go to the Chief Secretary’s meeting for sanction, Patrika reported. We found no later official update on 16 October 2026.
- Not announced: darshan arrangements, temple hours, parking and road plans at the temple during the Simhastha.
- Kal Bhairav is a separate visit from a bath at Ram Ghat. For Ujjain’s main temple, see Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Simhastha.
Where it is
- 1Mahakaleshwar TempleTemple
- 2Kal Bhairav TempleTemple · This page
- 3Chintaman Ganesh TempleTemple
- 4Ujjain Junction railway stationRailway
- 5Dewas Gate bus standBus
- 6Nanakheda bus standBus
A guide to where places are, not a route plan. During the mela, roads and ghats open and close by the official plan; follow police and mela directions.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Some temple locations from Wikidata (CC0). openstreetmap.org/copyright
Also in this area
Questions people ask
Is liquor offered at the Kal Bhairav Temple?
Yes, as part of the ritual. The Ujjain district says the tradition is still followed, and MP Tourism says the priest offers half of the liquor to the deity and returns the rest to the devotee as prasad.
How far is the Kal Bhairav Temple from Ujjain city?
Official sources differ. The district’s Places of Interest page says about 4 km, and the Mahakaleshwar temple’s website says about 8 km. Both place it on the bank of the Shipra.
Is Kal Bhairav a Simhastha bathing ghat?
No. It is a temple for darshan on the bank of the Shipra. The Ujjain district says the Simhastha’s shahi snan takes place at Ram Ghat, and the 2028 bathing days are not announced.