Kal Bhairav Temple Ujjain 2026. Liquor Offering, Timings, Distance from Mahakal
Kal Bhairav Temple in Ujjain is famous for one ritual: devotees offer liquor to the deity, and the idol drinks it. The temple is 3 km from Mahakaleshwar and is the second-most-visited temple in Ujjain after Mahakal. This is the 2026 visitor guide.
What is special about Kal Bhairav
- Lord Kal Bhairav is one of 8 forms of Bhairav (Ashtabhairav)
- The idol literally drinks liquor offered to it
- One of 8 protector deities of the cosmos in Hinduism
- Mentioned in the Skanda Purana
Temple timings
- Open: 5:00 AM
- Close: 10:00 PM
- Aartis: 6:00 AM, 12:00 noon, 7:00 PM
- Best time to visit: 7:30 AM after Mahakal Bhasma Aarti
How to offer liquor (the ritual)
- Buy a small bottle (whiskey or rum, ~100 ml) from authorized shops outside
- Hand it to the temple priest (Pujari)
- The priest pours it into a thali and tilts toward the deity’s mouth
- The liquor visibly disappears (rumored to drain through a hidden channel; devotees believe it is divine)
- You receive prasad: small pot with leftover liquor as blessing
How to reach
- Distance from Mahakal: 3 km
- Auto-rickshaw: 80 to 120 rupees
- Cab: 200 rupees one-way
- Walking: 35 minutes via Tower Square
Frequently asked questions
Why is liquor offered at Kal Bhairav?
It is the prescribed offering per shastra for the Bhairav form of Lord Shiva. Mentioned in Skanda Purana.
Does the Kal Bhairav idol really drink liquor?
Devotees believe so. Locals say a hidden channel drains it. Either way it is the temple’s signature ritual.
What time does Kal Bhairav temple open?
5:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Best visit: 7:30 AM.
How far is Kal Bhairav from Mahakal Temple?
3 km. Auto-rickshaw 80-120 rupees, cab 200 rupees one-way.
About this site
Independent informational guide for Mahakal Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain. Verified weekly against the official portal mahakaleshwar.nic.in. We do not facilitate bookings.
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