Festival 2026 · Birth of Lord Krishna (Krishna Ashtami)
Krishna Janmashtami 2026
Friday, 4 September 2026 (passed)
Tithi begins: Fri 4 Sep, 2:26 AM IST
Tithi ends: Sat 5 Sep, 12:14 AM IST
Times for Delhi. Other cities can differ, sometimes by a day.
About Krishna Janmashtami
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Krishna at midnight on the Ashtami of the dark half of Shravana (amanta; Bhadrapada in the purnimanta calendar). The date is the night on which Ashtami prevails at midnight (Nishita).
Temples stage Jhanki and Raslila, devotees fast till midnight and the next day Dahi Handi pots are broken in Maharashtra. Vaishnava and Smarta traditions can differ by a day.
How it is observed
- Fasting until the midnight birth aarti.
- Abhishek of baby Krishna with milk, curd, honey and ghee.
- Jhanki decorations, bhajans and kirtan through the night.
- Dahi Handi the following day.
Dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar (tithi) as seen from Delhi and can differ by a day between regions and panchangs. Computed from NASA JPL DE421 Sun and Moon positions. Confirm with your local temple or priest for religious observances.
More festival dates
Frequently asked questions
When is Krishna Janmashtami in 2026?
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 falls on Friday, 4 September 2026. The tithi begins Fri 4 Sep, 2:26 AM IST and ends Sat 5 Sep, 12:14 AM IST (Delhi).
Why do some people celebrate Janmashtami a day later?
Smarta families follow Ashtami at midnight; Vaishnava (e.g. ISKCON) traditions follow the Ashtami at sunrise with Rohini and often fall a day later.
Why does the date of Krishna Janmashtami change every year?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the date moves against the 365-day calendar by about 11 days a year, then jumps back when an extra (Adhika) month is added.
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