Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada, according to the Hindu calendar. This usually occurs in August or September.
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated to honour the birth of Lord Krishna, who is believed to have been born over 5,000 years ago in Mathura. According to Hindu belief, Krishna was birth to protect dharma and defeat evil forces. The festival holds deep spiritual importance as it reminds people of Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, his childhood stories, and his role in shaping the Mahabharata. Devotees observe the day with fasting, singing devotional songs, night vigils, and reenacting Krishna’s life through plays and rituals.
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 – Date and Muhurat
5252nd Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna
- Krishna Janmashtami: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Nishita Puja Time: 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM, August 17
- Duration: 43 Minutes
- Parana Time (as per ISKCON): After 05:51 AM, August 17
- Janmashtami without Rohini Nakshatra: Ashtami Tithi ends before Sunrise on Parana Day.
- Mid-Night Moment: 12:25 AM, August 17
- Chandrodaya Moment (Moonrise): 11:32 PM, August 16
- Ashtami Tithi Begins: 11:49 PM on August 15, 2025
- Ashtami Tithi Ends: 09:34 PM on August 16, 2025
- Rohini Nakshatra Begins: 04:38 AM on August 17, 2025
- Rohini Nakshatra Ends: 03:17 AM on August 18, 2025
Krishna Janmashtami Rituals
- Devotees observe a day-long fast. Some fast without water.
- Homes are cleaned and decorated with flowers, lights, and rangoli.
- They set up a small cradle or jhula for baby Krishna.
- An idol of Lord Krishna is bathed, often with Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar).
- The idol is dressed in new clothes and jewellery.
- Offerings of fruits, sweets, and especially butter (Makhan Mishri) are made.
- Prayers and devotional songs (bhajans and kirtans) are sung.
- People chant mantras, including the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.
- Someone narrates the Janmashtami Katha (story).
- An Aarti celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight.
- After the midnight puja, people break the fast, often with prasad like panjiri.
- Many communities organize Dahi Handi events. Teams form human pyramids to break a pot of butter.
- Some visit Krishna or Vishnu temples for darshan and participate in temple festivities.
- Children may dress up as Lord Krishna or Radha.
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Things to Do or Not to Do on Krishna Janmashtami
On Krishna Janmashtami, focus on devotion and purity. Here are a few things to consider:
| Things to Do | Things to Avoid |
| Observe a fast. | Consuming grains. |
| Clean your home and puja area. | Eating non-vegetarian food. |
| Bathe the idol of Lord Krishna. | Using onion or garlic in food. |
| Decorate the idol with new clothes. | Negative thoughts or speech. |
| Offer Modaks and other sweets. | Arguments or disputes. |
| Chant mantras. | Disrespecting elders or others. |
| Perform Aarti. | Excessive indulgence. |
| Read the Janmashtami Katha. | Any form of violence. |
| Create a peaceful atmosphere. | Consuming alcohol. |
| Pray for well-being. | Wasting food. |
| Exchange good wishes. | Any action causing harm. |
| Donate food or help the needy. | Being ungrateful for blessings. |
