About Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami of Bhadrapada in the purnimanta calendar, which corresponds to Shravana in the amanta calendar. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna was born in a prison cell in Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva at the dead of night, during the Rohini nakshatra. To protect him from the tyrant Kamsa, Vasudeva carried the newborn across the stormy Yamuna to Gokul, where he was raised by Yashoda and Nanda.
Devotees fast through the day and gather in temples and homes for the Nishita puja, the deep-night worship that marks the moment of birth. The infant Krishna, Laddu Gopal, is bathed, dressed in new clothes and placed in a decorated cradle amid kirtan and conch sounds. Mathura, Vrindavan and Dwarka celebrate on a grand scale. In Maharashtra the next day brings Dahi Handi, when teams form human pyramids to break a pot of curd. Smarta and Vaishnava traditions, including ISKCON, sometimes observe Janmashtami on consecutive days.
How it is observed
- Keeping a fast through the day, often with fruit and milk
- Decorating a cradle and preparing jhankis of Krishna's childhood
- Gathering for the late-night puja, abhishek and aarti for Laddu Gopal
- Singing bhajans and reading from the Bhagavata Purana
- Breaking the fast with makhan-mishri, panjiri and other prasad
Krishna Janmashtami dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Monday, 26 August 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Friday, 15 August 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Friday, 4 September 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Tuesday, 24 August 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Sunday, 13 August 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Friday, 31 August 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Tuesday, 20 August 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated across India
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Mathura, Vrindavan
Krishna Janmashtami
Temples are decorated and devotees keep a fast until the midnight birth of Krishna, followed by abhishek and the cradle ceremony.
Maharashtra
Dahi Handi, Gopalkala
On the next day, teams of govindas form human pyramids to break pots of curd hung high above the streets, recalling Krishna's childhood.
Gujarat
Janmashtami
Dwarka and Dakor temples draw large crowds, and towns hold fairs and Krishna Lila performances.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Gokulashtami, Krishna Jayanthi
Homes draw small footprints of baby Krishna from the door to the puja room and offer seedai, butter and fruits.
Kerala
Ashtami Rohini
Kerala celebrates Krishna's birth by Ashtami with Rohini nakshatra in the Malayalam calendar, so it can fall on a different day. Guruvayur temple holds special worship.
ISKCON and Vaishnava communities
Janmashtami
Vaishnava traditions follow their own rules for the Ashtami and Rohini, so their Janmashtami can be a day after the Smarta observance.
Smarta and Vaishnava observances may differ by a day. People with health conditions, pregnant women and the elderly are advised to check with a doctor before fasting.
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