Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The day is marked with utmost joy and fervour. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, September 4. From Dahi Handi festivities
in Maharashtra to Mahostav in Vrindavan, devotees, in large numbers, come together to celebrate the day. People also observe fast from sunrise to sunset, chant bhajans and sing Lord Krishna bhajans to mark the day.
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: Date, Muhurat
The Krishna Janmashtami will be observed on September 4. The Ashtami Tithi begins at 2:25 AM on September 4. It ends at 12:13 AM on September 5. Rohini Nakshatra begins at 12:29 AM on September 4 and ends at 11:04 PM on the same day, as per Drik Panchang.
Whereas, the Dahi Handi festivities will take place on September 5, as per Drik Panchang.
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Janmashtami 2026: City-Wise Muhurat On September 5
- Pune: 12:10 AM to 12:57 AM
- New Delhi: 11:57 PM to 12:43 AM
- Chennai: 11:45 PM to 12:31 AM
- Jaipur: 12:03 AM to 12:49 AM
- Hyderabad: 11:52 PM to 12:38 AM
- Gurgaon: 11:58 PM to 12:44 AM
- Chandigarh: 11:59 PM to 12:45 AM
- Kolkata: 11:13 PM to 11:59 PM
- Mumbai: 12:14 AM to 01:01 AM
- Bengaluru: 11:55 PM to 12:42 AM
- Ahmedabad: 12:16 AM to 01:02 AM
- Noida: 11:57 PM to 12:42 AM
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: Dos and Don’ts
During the Janmashtami fast, no grains should be eaten until the fast is broken the following day after sunrise. Janmashtami fasting should adhere to the same guidelines as Ekadashi fasting, as per Drik Panchang.
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Breaking the fast, or parana, should be done at the proper time. When the Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra end, Parana is performed the following day after sunrise for the Krishna Janmashtami fasting.
When either Ashtami Tithi or Rohini Nakshatra ends during the day, the fast may be interrupted if they do not end before sunset. One should wait to break the fast if neither Ashtami Tithi nor Rohini Nakshatra ends before sunset or even Hindu Midnight, also called Nishita Time.
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Krishna Janmashtami fasting may last for two full days, depending on when Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra end. If a devotee is unable to fast for two days, they may break the fast the following day after sunrise. The Hindu sacred literature, Dharmasindhu, has recommended it.
Janmashtami 2026: Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi
Devotees who observe the fast are advised to eat one meal the day before Janmashtami. On the fasting day, devotees keep a one-day fast on Sankalpa, which they break the next day after Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi.
Some devotees break the fast after Rohini Nakshatra or Ashtami Tithi. Sankalpa is taken when morning rites are finished, signalling the beginning of the day-long fast.
Vedic timekeeping states that the Krishna Puja should be carried out at midnight, or Nishita Kaal. Devotees do a comprehensive ritualistic Puja at midnight, following all sixteen steps from the Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi.
Krishna Janmashtami Rituals: Krishna Abhishekam, Parana
Lord Krishna’s devotees offer milk, ghee, and water to the deity as bhog as part of the Krishna Abhishekam. Since they are only permitted to eat one meal the day before Janmashtami, many of them maintain a fast on that day.
Many Pandits think that Janmashtami fasting should follow the same guidelines as Ekadashi fasting. People who are fasting are prohibited from eating any grains; therefore, they go phalahar, which means they only eat water and fruits.
To ask Lord Krishna for blessings, people travel to temples. The idol is clothed in fresh garments, bathed in milk, honey, and water, and presented with laddoos.
There is a strong sense of devotion everywhere, but particularly within the temples. In addition to singing mantras, there is a practice that involves showering the Lord’s idol with flowers while chanting 108 names of Lord Krishna.
Because the Lord enjoyed swinging in a jhula as a child, ornamented swings, or jhula, are often linked to trees. Because it is seen as auspicious, devotees swing the infant idol of the Lord while it is perched on a jhula in the temples.
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 Wishes
- Celebrate love, joy, and Krishna today!
- Let Krishna’s mischief light up your heart.
- Little feet bring divine cheer. Krishna’s birthday is finally here.
- May Lord Krishna’s flute invite the melody of love into your life. Happy Janmashtami!
- May Lord Krishna steal all your tensions and worries on this Janmashtami and give you all the love, peace, and happiness.
- On Janmashtami, may Krishna’s blessings purify your soul and lead you to spiritual enlightenment.
- May the enchanting aura of Lord Krishna bring serenity and joy to your life on this auspicious Janmashtami.
- May the Natkhat Nand Lal always give you many reasons to be happy.
- May this Janmashtami shower on blossoms of love and peace.
- Krishna’s divine love transcends all barriers, uniting hearts and souls in a bond of pure devotion and eternal friendship.
- May the auspicious festival of Janmashtami bring you closer to Krishna’s divine grace and fill your life with happiness, harmony, and spiritual fulfilment.
- Krishna’s flute symbolises His call to the devotees, inviting them to immerse themselves in the bliss of divine love.
- Krishna’s love transcends all boundaries, uniting us in the spirit of universal brotherhood and compassion.
- On this auspicious day of Janmashtami, may Krishna’s blessings empower you to achieve your goals and aspirations.
- On Janmashtami, may Krishna’s teachings inspire you to live with integrity, compassion, and devotion to higher principles.
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: FAQs
When is Krishna Janmashtami 2026?
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 is on Friday, September 4.
When does the Krishna Janmashtami 2026 Ashtami Tithi begin and end?
The Ashtami Tithi begins on 2:25 AM on September 4 and ends on 12:13 AM on September 5.
