Krishna Janmashtami 2026 – Puja Time, Fast Rules & Celebration Guide

Celebrating the 5253rd Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Main Puja Time (Nishita Puja): 11:57 PM to 12:43 AM (midnight of Sep 4–5)
Dahi Handi Celebration: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Important Timings (Delhi, India)

• Midnight (Nishita) Moment: 12:20 AM, September 5
• Chandrodaya (Moonrise): 11:23 PM on September 4
• Ashtami Tithi Begins: 2:25 AM, September 4
• Ashtami Tithi Ends: 12:13 AM, September 5
• Rohini Nakshatra Begins: 12:29 AM, September 4
• Rohini Nakshatra Ends: 11:04 PM, September 4

When to Break the Fast (Parana)

There are two methods for Parana (breaking the fast):

• As per scriptures (Dharma Shastra): After 6:01 AM on September 5, only if both Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra have ended before sunrise.
• As per popular tradition: Many people break the fast after midnight (12:43 AM, Sep 5), especially in regions influenced by ISKCON, where fasts are ended after the midnight puja.

Note: Local customs may vary. Always follow the guidance of your family priest or community tradition.

Fasting Guidelines

• On the day before Janmashtami, devotees eat only once.
• On Janmashtami, after morning rituals, a vow (Sankalpa) is taken to observe a strict fast until midnight or the prescribed Parana time.
• No grains or cereals are consumed during the fast.
• The fast is ideally broken the next day after both Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi end.

Puja Rituals on Janmashtami Night

Devotees perform a special midnight puja (Nishita Puja) marking the exact time of Krishna’s birth:

• The puja involves all 16 steps of Shodashopachara Vidhi.
• A small idol or picture of Bal Gopal (baby Krishna) is bathed, dressed, and placed in a decorated cradle.
• Offerings include makhan (butter), mishri (sugar crystals), kheer, and fruits.
• Devotional songs, bhajans, and aarti are performed joyfully.

Why Janmashtami Dates Differ

You might see two Janmashtami dates listed every year. Here’s why:

• Smarta Sampradaya follows one set of rules based on the prevailing Tithi during Nishita Kaal.
• Vaishnava Sampradaya (e.g., ISKCON) prefers Ashtami Tithi with Rohini Nakshatra, even if it falls on the next calendar day.

In North India, most people follow the ISKCON date, but Smarta followers strictly follow traditional Vedic calculations from texts like Dharmasindhu and Nirnaysindhu.

Recent & Upcoming Janmashtami Dates

Other Names for Janmashtami

This auspicious day is also known as:

• Gokulashtami
• Krishnashtami
• Ashtami Rohini
• Sri Krishna Jayanti
• Sree Jayanthi

Réflexions finales

Krishna Janmashtami is not only a celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth, but also a powerful spiritual occasion to deepen one’s devotion, practice self-discipline, and experience divine joy.

No matter which tradition you follow—Smarta or Vaishnava—what matters most is celebrating with bhakti (devotion) and sincerity in your heart.

“Jai Shri Krishna!”