कृष्णजन्माष्टमी Significance & Spiritual Meaning
भगवतः श्रीकृष्णस्य जन्मोत्सवः — भाद्रपदकृष्णाष्टम्यां पाल्यते। मथुरायां देवकीवसुदेवयोः गृहे कंसवधार्थं कृष्णः मध्यरात्रौ अवतीर्णः आसीत्। भक्ताः दिनं यावत् उपवासं कुर्वन्ति, मध्यरात्रिं यावत् जागृत्य कृष्णस्य बाललीलानां स्मरणं कुर्वन्ति। गोकुलाष्टमी, दधिभाण्डस्फोटः (महाराष्ट्रे), कृष्णभजनानि अस्य पर्वणः विशेषाणि।
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी Mythology & Legend
As narrated in the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison in Mathura, where the tyrant Kansa had imprisoned them. At birth, the prison guards fell asleep, the gates opened, and Vasudeva carried the infant across the Yamuna to Gokul, exchanging him with Yogmaya. Krishna grew up with Nanda and Yashoda and later defeated Kansa.
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी 2027 Puja Rituals & Vidhi
- Observe a full-day fast (or fruit and milk) until midnight.
- At midnight, perform abhishekam and puja to the infant Krishna idol; offer butter and panchamrit.
- Place a cradle with the deity and swing it; sing bhajans and kirtans.
- In Maharashtra and Gujarat, Dahi Handi (pot-breaking) is performed during the day.
- Break the fast after midnight with prasad and light food.
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी Mantras in Sanskrit
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
Salutations to Vasudeva (Krishna)
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी Traditional Foods & Prasad
- ●Makhan (butter)
- ●Mishri
- ●Panchamrit
- ●Fruits
- ●After midnight: prasad and sweets
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी Regional Celebrations across India
North India(जन्माष्टमी)
Jhulan, midnight puja
Maharashtra/Gujarat(कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी)
Dahi Handi
South India(கிருஷ்ண ஜன்மாஷ்டமி)
Temple celebrations, kolam
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी Do's & Don't's
Do's
- ✓Break fast after midnight
- ✓Offer butter and milk products
- ✓Chant Krishna mantras
- ✓Read or listen to Krishna stories
Don'ts
- ✗Do not eat grains before midnight
- ✗Avoid sleep before birth time
- ✗Do not disrespect the deity
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी — Frequently Asked Questions
- What is कृष्णजन्माष्टमी?
- भगवतः श्रीकृष्णस्य जन्मोत्सवः — भाद्रपदकृष्णाष्टम्यां पाल्यते। मथुरायां देवकीवसुदेवयोः गृहे कंसवधार्थं कृष्णः मध्यरात्रौ अवतीर्णः आसीत्। भक्ताः दिनं यावत् उपवासं कुर्वन्ति, मध्यरात्रिं यावत् जागृत्य कृष्णस्य बाललीलानां स्मरणं कुर्वन्ति। गोकुलाष्टमी, दधिभाण्डस्फोटः (महाराष्ट्रे), कृष्णभजनानि अस्य पर्वणः विशेषाणि।
- When is कृष्णजन्माष्टमी 2027?
- In 2027, कृष्णजन्माष्टमी falls on Tuesday, August 24, 2027.
- What are the कृष्णजन्माष्टमी puja rituals?
- Observe a full-day fast (or fruit and milk) until midnight.; At midnight, perform abhishekam and puja to the infant Krishna idol; offer butter and panchamrit.; Place a cradle with the deity and swing it; sing bhajans and kirtans.; In Maharashtra and Gujarat, Dahi Handi (pot-breaking) is performed during the day.
- What to eat on कृष्णजन्माष्टमी?
- Makhan (butter), Mishri, Panchamrit, Fruits, After midnight: prasad and sweets
- What should you do on कृष्णजन्माष्टमी?
- Break fast after midnight; Offer butter and milk products; Chant Krishna mantras
- What should you avoid on कृष्णजन्माष्टमी?
- Do not eat grains before midnight; Avoid sleep before birth time; Do not disrespect the deity
- Which deity is worshipped on कृष्णजन्माष्टमी?
- कृष्णजन्माष्टमी is dedicated to कृष्णः.
Upcoming कृष्णजन्माष्टमी Dates in 2026, 2027 & Beyond
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी is a sacred Hindu festival observed on the tithi shown. Dates are calculated from the Panchang for your region.
Times shown for New Delhi, India (IST)
| Date | Day | Moonrise Time | Special Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4, 2026 | Friday | 11:24 pm | — |
| Aug 24, 2027 | Tuesday | 10:45 pm | — |
| Aug 25, 2027 | Wednesday | 11:36 pm | — |