Amrutkaal ॐ अमृतकाल Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 is observed on Friday, 4 September 2026 — it follows ashtami of krishna paksha, bhadrapada.
Shubh Muhurat
Full panchang, Rahu Kaal, and muhurat windows will be available closer to 4 September 2026.
We compute auspicious time windows with Swiss Ephemeris when the festival falls within our 38-day panchang window.
Significance
Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight in Mathura. Devotees fast until midnight, then break it with prayer, song, and a sweet rocking of the infant Krishna in a decorated cradle. In Mumbai and Maharashtra, the next day's Dahi Handi sees young men form human pyramids to reach and break a clay pot of yogurt suspended high — recreating the boy Krishna's playful butter-stealing.
Rituals & Traditions
- Fast from sunrise to midnight
- Decorating cradles and clothing Krishna idol
- Midnight aarti at the moment of Krishna's birth
- Singing bhajans throughout the night
- Dahi Handi the following day (Maharashtra)
Upcoming dates
- 2024 26 August 2024 (past)
- 2025 15 August 2025 (past)
- 2026 4 September 2026
- 2027 24 August 2027
- 2028 13 August 2028
- 2029 31 August 2029
- 2030 20 August 2030
- 2031 9 August 2031
- 2032 27 August 2032
- 2033 17 August 2033
- 2034 5 September 2034
- 2035 26 August 2035
- 2036 14 August 2036
Observed by: Hindus
Frequently asked questions
When is Krishna Janmashtami 2026?
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 is observed on Friday, 4 September 2026. The festival follows ashtami of krishna paksha, bhadrapada.
What is Krishna Janmashtami?
Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight in Mathura. Devotees fast until midnight, then break it with prayer, song, and a sweet rocking of the infant Krishna in a decorated cradle. In Mumbai and Maharashtra, the next day's Dahi Handi sees young men form human pyramids to reach and break a clay pot of yogurt suspended high — recreating the boy
How is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated?
Fast from sunrise to midnight; Decorating cradles and clothing Krishna idol; Midnight aarti at the moment of Krishna's birth; Singing bhajans throughout the night; Dahi Handi the following day (Maharashtra).
Who observes Krishna Janmashtami?
Krishna Janmashtami is observed by Hindus.
Why does the date of Krishna Janmashtami change every year?
Krishna Janmashtami is fixed by the Hindu luni-solar calendar — it falls on ashtami of krishna paksha, bhadrapada. Because that tithi drifts against the Gregorian calendar each year, the English date moves, even though the festival is always on the same point in the lunar month.