Krishna Janmashtami 2025
Major FestivalSaturday, 16 August 2025 New Delhi
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 · New Delhi
| Date | Weekday | Special name |
|---|---|---|
| 16 August 2025 | Saturday | — |
Krishna Janmashtami — Significance
Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight in Mathura. Devotees fast, sing bhajans, and celebrate the divine child who later became the guide of the Bhagavad Gita.
Krishna Janmashtami — Mythology & Legend
As narrated in the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison in Mathura, where the tyrant Kansa had imprisoned them. At birth, the prison guards fell asleep, the gates opened, and Vasudeva carried the infant across the Yamuna to Gokul, exchanging him with Yogmaya. Krishna grew up with Nanda and Yashoda and later defeated Kansa.
Krishna Janmashtami — Rituals & Puja Vidhi
- Observe a full-day fast (or fruit and milk) until midnight.
- At midnight, perform abhishekam and puja to the infant Krishna idol; offer butter and panchamrit.
- Place a cradle with the deity and swing it; sing bhajans and kirtans.
- In Maharashtra and Gujarat, Dahi Handi (pot-breaking) is performed during the day.
- Break the fast after midnight with prasad and light food.
Krishna Janmashtami — Mantras & Prayers
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
Salutations to Vasudeva (Krishna)
Krishna Janmashtami — Traditional Foods
- Makhan (butter)
- Mishri
- Panchamrit
- Fruits
- After midnight: prasad and sweets
Krishna Janmashtami — Regional celebrations
- North India (जन्माष्टमी)
- Jhulan, midnight puja
- Maharashtra/Gujarat (कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी)
- Dahi Handi
- South India (கிருஷ்ண ஜன்மாஷ்டமி)
- Temple celebrations, kolam
Krishna Janmashtami — Do / Don't
Do
- Break fast after midnight
- Offer butter and milk products
- Chant Krishna mantras
- Read or listen to Krishna stories
Don't
- Do not eat grains before midnight
- Avoid sleep before birth time
- Do not disrespect the deity
Krishna Janmashtami — FAQ
- What is Krishna Janmashtami?
- Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight in Mathura.
- When is Krishna Janmashtami 2025?
- In 2025, Krishna Janmashtami falls on Saturday, 16 August 2025.
- What are the Krishna Janmashtami puja rituals?
- Observe a full-day fast (or fruit and milk) until midnight.; At midnight, perform abhishekam and puja to the infant Krishna idol; offer butter and panchamrit.; Place a cradle with the deity and swing it; sing bhajans and kirtans.; In Maharashtra and Gujarat, Dahi Handi (pot-breaking) is performed during the day.
- What to eat on Krishna Janmashtami?
- Makhan (butter), Mishri, Panchamrit, Fruits, After midnight: prasad and sweets
- What should you do on Krishna Janmashtami?
- Break fast after midnight; Offer butter and milk products; Chant Krishna mantras
- What should you avoid on Krishna Janmashtami?
- Do not eat grains before midnight; Avoid sleep before birth time; Do not disrespect the deity