Krishna Janmashtami · कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Krishna at midnight on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada (purnimanta), in the prison of Kamsa in Mathura.
Dates
Dates and times are for New Delhi (Asia/Kolkata). They can differ in other places, especially outside India, and between traditions.
How the date is determined
Bhadrapada (purnimanta) Krishna Ashtami: Smarta at Nishita kaal (midnight), Vaishnava at sunrise.
Devotees fast until midnight, sing bhajans, decorate cradles for baby Krishna and celebrate his birth at midnight. The next day, Dahi Handi is celebrated in Maharashtra.
Regional and tradition differences
Smarta and Vaishnava traditions often keep Janmashtami on different days: Smarta when Ashtami prevails at midnight, Vaishnava (including ISKCON) when Ashtami prevails at sunrise, also weighing Rohini nakshatra. Both dates are shown where they differ.
What to recite
Sources
- Krishna Janmashtami, Wikipedia (2026)
Change log
- : Published.