Janmashtami
festivalsQuick Overview
- Date in 2026
- Friday, September 4, 2026
- Tithi
- Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Purnimanta)
- Tithi begins / ends
- 02:26 AM, Sep 04 to 12:14 AM, Sep 05
- Lunar month
- Bhadrapada · Krishna Paksha
Janmashtami
Friday, September 4, 2026
Lunar Month: Bhadrapada
Janmashtami at a Glance
Janmashtami is fixed by the lunar calendar to Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami, the 8th tithi of the waning (Krishna) fortnight of Bhadrapada (Shravana Krishna Ashtami in the Amanta calendar).
- Tithi rule
- Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Purnimanta)Krishna AshtamiBhadrapada month
- Tithi swami and group
- Shiva · Jaya Tithi
Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami in Coming Years
| Year | Tithi begins | Tithi ends |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 05:32 PM, Tue, Aug 20 | 08:02 PM, Wed, Aug 21 |
Panchanga on This Day
Janmashtami · Sep 4, 2026
About Janmashtami
Janmashtami is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation (Avatar) of Lord Vishnu. It falls on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, which usually corresponds to August or September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is marked by fasting, devotional singing, dramatic reenactments of Krishna's life (Raslila), and the joyful breaking of the fast at midnight, the believed hour of Krishna's birth.
Lord Krishna was born in a prison cell in Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva, while his maternal uncle, the tyrannical King Kansa, ruled the kingdom. To protect the divine infant from Kansa, Vasudeva carried him across the Yamuna River to Gokul, where he was raised by Yashoda and Nanda. Krishna's childhood in Gokul and Vrindavan, filled with miraculous feats, divine play (Leela), and enchanting flute music, forms the heart of Janmashtami celebrations.
The festival is celebrated with immense enthusiasm across India and the world. In Mathura and Vrindavan, the celebrations are especially grand, with temples decorated elaborately and devotees observing strict fasts. In Maharashtra, the Dahi Handi tradition involves teams of young men forming human pyramids to break a pot of curd hung high above the ground, reenacting Krishna's love for butter and curd. Janmashtami symbolizes the triumph of divine love, righteousness, and joy over oppression and darkness.
Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules
Janmashtami is observed with fasting, Krishna Puja, temple visits, and midnight celebrations of the Lord's birth.
- Wake up early, take a holy bath, and clean the home and the prayer area.
- Observe a day-long fast, abstaining from grains; some observe a Nirjala fast until midnight.
- Place the idol or image of baby Krishna (Laddoo Gopal) in a decorated cradle (Jhula).
- Perform Abhishekam with Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar) and dress the deity in new clothes.
- Offer Makhan (butter), Mishri, Tulsi leaves, and 56 varieties of food (Chappan Bhog) to Krishna.
- Break the fast at midnight after the birth ceremony, accompanied by devotional songs and Aarti.
Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps
- Decorate the Puja area with flowers and place the cradle in the center.
- Bathe the Krishna idol with Panchamrit and clean water.
- Dress the idol in new clothes and adorn it with jewelry and a crown.
- Offer Tulsi leaves, butter, mishri, and Chappan Bhog.
- Swing the cradle gently while chanting Krishna mantras and singing devotional songs.
- Perform Aarti at midnight and distribute prasad.
Vrat Katha: The Birth of Lord Krishna
King Kansa imprisoned his sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva after hearing a prophecy that their eighth child would kill him.
When Krishna was born at midnight, the prison doors miraculously opened, and Vasudeva carried the infant across the flooded Yamuna to Gokul.
Krishna was raised by Yashoda and Nanda, and he eventually fulfilled the prophecy by slaying Kansa and restoring righteousness.
Janmashtami: Frequently Asked Questions
Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Shravana Krishna Ashtami in the Amanta calendar); its swami is Shiva, a Jaya Tithi.
Krishna Ashtami: 02:26 AM, Fri, Sep 4, 2026 to 12:14 AM, Sat, Sep 5, 2026 (IST).
On the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha in the Bhadrapada month, usually in August or September.
Dahi Handi is a popular tradition in Maharashtra where teams form human pyramids to break a pot of curd, symbolizing Krishna's love for butter.
Festivals in the Same Lunar Month
Bhadrapada
Note: times are shown with their date; a Panchang day runs from sunrise to sunrise.
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Telugu calendar and festive Panchangam details.
Tamil solar calendar dates and monthly Panchangam.