Krishna Janmashtami 2025 is the sacred Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, who appeared to destroy evil (Kansa) and uphold Dharma.
In 2025, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16, depending on Sampradaya (tradition) and calendar system followed.
🕉️ Janmashtami 2025 – Key Details
|
Element |
Description |
|
Date (Smarta / ISKCON) |
Friday–Saturday, 15–16 August 2025 |
|
Ashtami Tithi Begins |
August 15, 2025 at 03:39 AM |
|
Ashtami Tithi Ends |
August 16, 2025 at 02:08 AM |
|
Rohini Nakshatra Begins |
August 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM |
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Rohini Nakshatra Ends |
August 16, 2025 at 11:32 AM |
|
Midnight Puja Time (Nishita Kaal) |
August 15 night, ~11:58 PM to 12:44 AM (local time varies) |
|
Fasting Type |
Upavasa (complete fast), Phalahar (fruit fast) |
🧘♂️ Who Celebrates on Which Day?
- 15 August 2025 (Friday):
- Celebrated by most Smarta Hindus, North Indian traditions
- It coincides with Shravan Krishna Ashtami, Rohini Nakshatra, and Independence Day
- 16 August 2025 (Saturday):
- Celebrated by Vaishnavas (ISKCON & some South Indian sects)
- Observed as Sri Krishna Jayanti in temples with night-long vigil and fasting
🌼 How Janmashtami is Celebrated
🪔 1. Fasting (Vrat)
- Devotees observe a day-long fast, breaking it only after midnight (Krishna's birth time).
- Some observe nirjala vrat (without food or water).
🕯️ 2. Midnight Puja (Nishita Kaal Puja)
- Performed at 12:00 midnight, the time of Lord Krishna's birth.
- Worship includes:
- Bathing Krishna idol (abhishekam) with milk, curd, honey, ghee, and water
- Dressing him in new clothes, ornaments, and a peacock feather
- Offering Makhan (butter), mishri, and tulsi leaves
🎶 3. Bhajan–Kirtan & Krishna Leela
- All-night singing of bhajans, flute music, Raas-Leela enactments
- Jhulanotsav (swing festival) celebrated with baby Krishna in a decorated cradle
🪅 4. Dahi Handi (16 Aug)
- Especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat, teams of boys form human pyramids to break a clay pot filled with curd, mimicking Krishna’s childhood mischief
- Held on the next day of Janmashtami
📜 Spiritual Significance
- Lord Krishna was born to protect Dharma and to annihilate Adharma
- His teachings in the Bhagavad Gita offer timeless wisdom on karma, devotion, and life’s purpose
- Observing Janmashtami vrat is believed to:
- Destroy sins and grant moksha
- Bless devotees with health, prosperity, and spiritual strength
🌸 Offerings (Bhog)
- Makhan mishri, milk sweets, panjiri, poha, fruits, tulsi leaves
- 56 bhog (Chappan Bhog) tradition in temples
🏛️ Major Celebrations In India
- Mathura & Vrindavan (birthplace and playground of Krishna)
- Dwarka, ISKCON Temples, Jagannath Puri, Udupi Sri Krishna Matha
- Delhi’s ISKCON Temple has 24-hour bhajans and midnight darshan
- Thousands participate in Rasleela enactments, processions, and decorated temples
🧾 Janmashtami Essentials
|
Item |
Purpose |
|
Tulsi leaves |
Must in every offering |
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Butter (Makhan) |
Favorite food of child Krishna |
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Flute & peacock feather |
Symbols of Krishna’s charm |
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Jhula (swing) |
For Jhulan Utsav (baby Krishna) |
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Bhagavad Gita |
Read or recite a few chapters |