Krishna Janmashtami

Significance

The midnight birth of Krishna, eighth avatar of Vishnu — kept with fasting until the stroke of twelve, when the infant is born and the fast is broken with joy.

The story behind Krishna Janmashtami

In a Mathura prison, to Devaki and Vasudeva, Krishna was born at midnight while guards slept and doors fell open — carried across a rising Yamuna to safety in Gokul, beyond the reach of the tyrant Kamsa. Devotees keep vigil to that midnight hour, when the darkest cell held the brightest birth.

How Krishna Janmashtami is observed

• Fasting through the day, broken at midnight after the birth.
• Rocking the infant Krishna's cradle; abhishekam of the deity.
• Dahi Handi — human pyramids to break a high pot of curd, echoing Krishna's butter-stealing.
• Bhajans, and reading the tenth canto of the Bhagavata.

Puja Vidhi & Prayers

Watch the step-by-step puja vidhi, aarti, and prayers for Krishna Janmashtami.

Krishna Janmashtami dates (2015–2035)

Dates are computed from precise sidereal (Lahiri) astronomy for a New Delhi reference and may vary by ±1 day for some evening/midnight festivals depending on your location and regional tradition — the timings above adjust to where you are.