Major Festival · Select a year for the Gregorian date
Krishna Janmashtami: Date, Nishita Puja Muhurat and Celebrations
Lord Krishna’s janma is observed at midnight on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami. Select a year for the midnight puja date.
कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी · · Krishna Ashtami
- Muhurat (2026)
- Nishita Kaal: 11:36 PM to 12:48 AM (2026-09-05)
- Hindu month
- Bhadrapada
- Regions
- Pan-India, Mathura, Vrindavan, Maharashtra
- Deity
- Lord Krishna (Baal Krishna / Laddu Gopal)
Krishna Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna in Mathura at midnight, when Ashtami tithi prevails in the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada (some regions use Shravana). Devotees fast until midnight, bathe and dress a Baal Krishna (Laddu Gopal) murti, place him in a decorated jhula (cradle), and perform abhishekam and aarti at Nishita. Maharashtra and Gujarat add Dahi Handi the next day. Temples in Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka and ISKCON centres worldwide run kirtan through the night. Fasting may be nirjala or phalahar; break it after midnight puja with prasad (panchamrit, makhan-mishri, fruits).
When is Krishna Janmashtami?
Krishna Janmashtami is on Friday, 4 September, 2026, Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami. The birth-time (Nishita) puja for 2026 is Nishita Kaal: 11:36 PM to 12:48 AM (2026-09-05). Smarta and Vaishnava sampradayas sometimes differ by a day when Ashtami and Rohini nakshatra do not overlap the same midnight; the dates on this page follow the common pan-India civil listing. If your temple announces an adjacent date, it is following a Rohini-priority or local tithi rule — both are authentic within their paddhati. Use the year selector to see any other calendar.
- Civil date in India: Friday, 4 September, 2026.
- Nishita puja: Nishita Kaal: 11:36 PM to 12:48 AM (2026-09-05).
- Tithi: Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami.
Midnight puja and fasting
Keep a clean altar, swing, and bhog ready before 11:30 PM. At Nishita, offer abhishekam, new clothes to the murti, butter and sugar candy, and sing janmashtami bhajans. Aarti and parikrama follow. Those who fasted take prasad after the midnight worship. Do not drive while exhausted after jagaran. Families with children can complete a shorter evening puja and a brief midnight aarti.
| Element | Typical detail |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 September (night) |
| Nishita muhurat | 11:58 PM – 12:44 AM, 3–4 September |
| Dahi Handi (MH/GJ) | Often 4 September morning |
| Main pilgrimage | Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka |
Dahi Handi, Braj and the meaning of the vrata
The Bhagavata Purana describes Krishna’s birth in Kamsa’s prison and his transfer to Gokul. The fast and night vigil re-enact waiting for that moment. Dahi Handi human pyramids celebrate Krishna the butter thief; they are cultural sport, not a substitute for midnight puja, and should follow safety rules. Janmashtami is a public holiday in many states. Offices in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat often close on the civil date nearest the vrata.
Key sacred rituals
- Midnight Abhishekam and Aarti of Baal Krishna (Laddoo Gopal)
- Dahi Handi human pyramids in Maharashtra and Gujarat
- Fasting until midnight followed by Prasad distribution
- Singing Bhajans and Jhula (cradle) decoration for Lord Krishna
Frequently asked questions
When is Krishna Janmashtami?
Janmashtami is on Thursday, 3 September. Midnight Nishita puja continues into 4 September.
What is the Janmashtami midnight puja time?
Nishita puja muhurat is 11:58 PM to 12:44 AM IST on the night of 3–4 September.
Should I fast until midnight?
Yes, if health allows. Many people keep a fruit-and-milk fast and break it after the midnight aarti. Children and the ill should not keep a nirjala fast.
Why do some calendars show Janmashtami a day later?
Vaishnava rules may require Ashtami to overlap Rohini nakshatra at midnight. When they split across two civil days, sampradayas can differ by one day.
Is Dahi Handi on the same day as Janmashtami?
In Maharashtra, Dahi Handi is commonly the morning after the midnight janmotsav, which is around 4 September.
Muhurat times are indicative for IST and may vary by city sunrise and tithi. Confirm with Today's Panchang.