Krishna Janmashtami 2026 is being celebrated on Friday, September 4, 2026, marking the 5,253rd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The most important ritual of the festival—the midnight worship known as Nishita Kaal Puja—will take place on the night of September 4 and extend into the early hours of September 5.
This year, there is some confusion about whether Janmashtami falls on September 4 or September 5. The simple answer is that the festival date is September 4, but the midnight puja begins on September 4 night and continues past midnight into September 5 in many cities.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | Krishna Janmashtami |
| Date | Friday, September 4, 2026 |
| Occasion | Birth of Lord Krishna |
| Tithi | Krishna Paksha Ashtami |
| Main worship period | Nishita Kaal (midnight) |
| Dahi Handi | Saturday, September 5, 2026 |
| Parana (fast-breaking) | After 6:01 AM, September 5 (varies by city) |
The confusion arises because the Ashtami Tithi begins on September 4 and continues past midnight into September 5 in some cities. According to Drik Panchang, the Ashtami Tithi begins at 2:25 AM on September 4 and ends at 12:13 AM on September 5 in the Kolkata calculation.
The festival is observed on September 4, but the midnight worship window (Nishita Kaal) varies by city:
Nishita Kaal is the sacred midnight period traditionally associated with Lord Krishna’s birth. The exact timing varies by location. The main puja window lasts approximately 46 minutes.
| City | Nishita Puja Time |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 11:57 PM – 12:43 AM (Sept 5) |
| Mumbai | 12:14 AM – 1:01 AM |
| Kolkata | 11:13 PM – 11:59 PM |
| Chennai | 11:45 PM – 12:31 AM |
| Bengaluru | 11:55 PM – 12:42 AM |
| Hyderabad | 11:52 PM – 12:38 AM |
| Pune | 12:10 AM – 12:57 AM |
| Ahmedabad | 12:16 AM – 1:02 AM |
| Mathura & Vrindavan | 11:56 PM – 12:41 AM |
| Noida | 11:57 PM – 12:42 AM |
| Jaipur | 12:03 AM – 12:49 AM |
Devotees observing the Janmashtami fast typically follow these practices:
Parana refers to breaking the Janmashtami fast. The timing depends on local Panchang calculations.
For New Delhi, the Dharma Shastra-based Parana time is after 6:01 AM on September 5, once Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra conditions are fulfilled.
In many communities, the fast is broken after the midnight celebration (following the Nishita Puja).
According to the Bhagavata Purana, Lord Krishna was born at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. His birth took place in a Mathura prison, where his parents Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned by the tyrant king Kansa.
According to Drik Panchang, the Rohini Nakshatra begins at 12:29 AM on September 4 and ends at 11:04 PM the same day. Rohini is traditionally associated with the story of Krishna’s birth.
Devotees decorate temples and homes, observe fasts and worship Lord Krishna. At midnight, many perform the birth celebration with an idol of Laddu Gopal. Bhajans, kirtans, aarti and offerings are also part of the celebrations. In Mathura and Vrindavan, special religious programs and large gatherings take place.
The following day, Dahi Handi is celebrated, commemorating Krishna’s playful childhood antics.
Janmashtami 2026 falls on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Nishita Kaal is the sacred midnight period for Krishna worship. The exact timing varies by city—for example, New Delhi’s Nishita Puja is from 11:57 PM (Sept 4) to 12:43 AM (Sept 5).
The festival is on September 4, but the midnight puja in several cities extends into September 5.
For New Delhi, the Parana time is after 6:01 AM on September 5.
Common fasting foods include fruits, milk, sabudana, makhana and potatoes.
It celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered deities in Hindu tradition.
Dahi Handi is celebrated on Saturday, September 5, 2026, commemorating Krishna’s childhood antics.
The festival follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar, so the Gregorian date varies from year to year.
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