Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain. Photo: Utcursch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsUjjain Simhastha 2028 · Ghats and temples
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.
This page covers Kal Bhairav Temple during the Ujjain Simhastha 2028. Its history, darshan timings and year-round visitor details are on the Kal Bhairav Temple page on Tirth.com.
Kal Bhairav, chief of the eight Bhairavas of the Shaiva tradition. Liquor is still offered as part of the ritual, the district says.1
Not published yet. No official source gives temple hours.
Not published yet.
Expected 27 March to 27 May 2028. Bathing days and darshan, parking and road plans at the temple are not announced.5
On a Kumbh day
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.
Kal Bhairav temple, Ujjain. Photo: LRBurdak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsFlowers, coconut, incense and liquor are bought outside and handed to the priest, who offers half the liquor to the deity and returns the rest as prasad, MP Tourism says.1
Entrance gate, Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain. Photo: Utcursch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe temple is believed to have been built by King Bhadresen, and a Kal Bhairav temple is named in the Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana, the district says.2
Liquor is still offered to Kal Bhairav as part of the ritual, the Ujjain district says. MP Tourism describes how the offering is made:
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.
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.
Photo: Utcursch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsA 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
