Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Date: When is Krishna Janmashtami this year?

Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Date: When is Krishna Janmashtami this year? (image: canva)

This year, Krishna Janmashtami will be observed on Friday, August 15, 2025. The day marks the 5252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated across India with great devotion, particularly in Mathura and Vrindavan, the birth and childhood places of Krishna.

Devotees observing Janmashtami fast are advised to consume only one sattvik meal a day before the fast. On the day of Janmashtami, devotees perform Sankalpa after their morning bath, pledging to fast and observe rituals throughout the day. Fasting continues until the next day, and the Parana (breaking the fast) is done only after the Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra have ended post-sunrise. If either of these is still active, the fast continues until they conclude. In some cases, Janmashtami fasting may extend to two days.

Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Date and Time 

The most sacred time for Krishna Janmashtami puja is Nishita Kaal, or midnight—believed to be the actual time of Krishna's birth. Devotees perform the Shodashopachara Puja, a sixteen-step ritual involving offerings of flowers, incense, fruits, sweets, and devotional chants.

Items Used in Puja:

• Panchamrit (mixture of milk, honey, curd, ghee, and sugar)
• Fresh flowers
• Tulsi leaves (highly sacred to Krishna)
• Butter and sweets (Lord Krishna's favourites)
• Breaking the Fast (Parana Timing)
• Parana must be done after sunrise only when both Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra end. If neither ends before sunset or midnight, fasting should continue until both do.

The festival is observed on two different days based on sectarian belief:

• Smarta Sampradaya follows stricter rules based on Nishita Kaal and may observe Janmashtami on Saptami if Ashtami overlaps midnight.
• Vaishnava Sampradaya gives priority to Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra, never celebrating on Saptami.
• Due to ISKCON's influence, most North Indians follow the Vaishnava calendar, even if they are not Vaishnavites. Hence, the observed Janmashtami date in North India often aligns with ISKCON.

Krishna Janmashtami is known by various names:

1. Krishnashtami
2. Gokulashtami
3. Srikrishna Jayanti
4. Ashtami Rohini (mainly in South India)

Janmashtami is not just a celebration of Krishna's birth but a day to embrace truth, dharma, and divine love. Fasting, chanting bhajans, and reading Krishna Katha or Bhagavad Gita help devotees spiritually connect with the Lord. Many temples organize dramatic enactments of Krishna’s life (Rasa Lila), midnight aarti, and Dahi Handi events, especially in Maharashtra.

Krishna Janmashtami 2025 is a spiritually enriching occasion that connects millions to Lord Krishna’s eternal message. By observing the fast with devotion, following proper rituals, and chanting his name, devotees seek divine blessings for peace, prosperity, and happiness.