Festival guide
Krishna Janmashtami
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Krishna at midnight on the eighth day of the dark half of Shravana (Bhadrapada in North India). Smarta and Vaishnava (ISKCON) traditions sometimes observe it on consecutive days.
Krishna Janmashtami dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday 4 September | Shravana Krishna Ashtami 4 Sept, 02:25 → 5 Sept, 00:14 |
| 2027 | Tuesday 24 August | Shravana Krishna Ashtami 24 Aug, 20:25 → 25 Aug, 19:20 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at midnight (nishita).
Also known as: Gokulashtami, Janmashtami.
Story and significance
Krishna was born in Kamsa’s prison in Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva, who carried the newborn across the flooded Yamuna to safety with Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul.
How Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated
- Fasting until midnight, when the birth is celebrated with aarti, conch shells and bells
- Bathing and dressing a small image of baby Krishna and rocking him in a cradle
- Devotional singing and dramas of Krishna’s childhood (Ras Lila)
- Dahi Handi the next day in Maharashtra, where human pyramids break a pot of curd hung high above the street
Recite on Krishna Janmashtami: Madhurashtakam
How to perform the puja: Janmashtami Puja Vidhi (Midnight Krishna Puja) — step by step, with a samagri checklist and timings.
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Krishna Janmashtami 2026?
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 falls on Friday, 4 September 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Krishna Janmashtami 2027?
Krishna Janmashtami 2027 falls on Tuesday, 24 August 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Krishna Janmashtami change every year?
Krishna Janmashtami is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Krishna Paksha tithi 8 of Shravana (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Krishna Janmashtami fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.