Hindu festival
Krishna Janmashtami
Also known as Janmashtami, Gokulashtami.
In short
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Krishna, on the eighth tithi of the waning moon in Bhadrapada. Because Krishna was born at midnight, devotees fast through the day and keep vigil until the midnight hour, when his birth is joyfully marked.
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When is Krishna Janmashtami?
- This year’s date
- Set by the panchang each year from the rule below. Godify shows a specific date only once it is confirmed against an authoritative panchang — never guessed.
- Tithi / rule
- Krishna Ashtami (8th tithi of the waning moon) of Bhadrapada, celebrated at midnight (nishita kaal)
- Calendar
- Lunar calendar (tithi-based)
- Deity
- Krishna
Krishna's traditional birth is at midnight, ideally with the Rohini nakshatra present, which is why the observed day is chosen by when the Ashtami tithi holds at nishita.
The story
Janmashtami marks the birth of Krishna in the prison of Mathura at midnight — the eighth avatar of Vishnu, born to restore dharma, later the teacher of the Bhagavad Gita.
The observance mirrors the story: a day of fasting and devotion, songs of his childhood in Braj, and a vigil to the midnight moment of his birth, when the image of the infant Krishna is bathed, cradled, and celebrated.
How it’s celebrated
Devotees fast and keep vigil to midnight, sing of Krishna's life, rock the infant Krishna in a cradle at the birth hour, and — in Maharashtra — form human pyramids for the Dahi Handi.
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ कृष्णाय नमः
oṃ kṛṣṇāya namaḥ
I bow to Krishna, beloved of all hearts.
Temples for Krishna Janmashtami
More Hindu festivals
About Krishna Janmashtami
When is Krishna Janmashtami?
On the Krishna Ashtami (8th tithi of the waning moon) of Bhadrapada, marked at midnight. The exact Gregorian date is set by the panchang each year.
Why is Janmashtami celebrated at midnight?
Because Krishna is traditionally said to have been born at midnight, ideally under the Rohini nakshatra — so the vigil culminates at the midnight hour.
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