Krishna Janmashtami 2026 Date and Nishita Puja Time
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 was observed on Friday, 4 September 2026. Nishita puja (New Delhi): 11:57 PM – 12:43 AM IST.
Janmashtami 2026 date, Ashtami and Rohini
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: Friday, 4 September 2026 (observed)
Janmashtami celebrates Krishna’s birth at midnight on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Shravana Krishna Ashtami in the Amanta calendar) under Rohini nakshatra. In 2026 Ashtami tithi ran from 2:25 AM on 4 September to 12:13 AM on 5 September, and Rohini nakshatra from 12:29 AM to 11:04 PM on 4 September (New Delhi). Ashtami covered the night of the 4th up to the opening of Nishita Kaal (Hindu midnight), and no other night had Ashtami at midnight, so Smarta and Vaishnava (ISKCON) calendars agreed on a single date: Friday, 4 September.
Puja timings (New Delhi)
| Item | Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Nishita puja | 11:57 PM – 12:43 AM (night of 4–5 Sep) |
| Midnight moment | 12:20 AM, 5 Sep |
| Ashtami tithi | 2:25 AM (4 Sep) – 12:13 AM (5 Sep) |
| Rohini nakshatra | 12:29 AM – 11:04 PM (4 Sep) |
| Parana (traditional) | After 6:01 AM, 5 Sep |
Many devotees today break the fast after the midnight puja (after 12:43 AM); the traditional rule is to break it after sunrise once Ashtami and Rohini have ended.
Significance
Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in Kansa’s prison in Mathura and carried across the Yamuna to Gokul. His life and teachings, especially the Bhagavad Gita, are central to Vaishnava devotion. Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka and ISKCON temples hold the largest celebrations.
Rituals
- Fast through the day, sing bhajans and decorate a cradle (jhoola) for Laddu Gopal.
- At midnight, bathe the idol with panchamrit, dress it in new clothes and offer makhan-mishri, panjiri and 56 bhog where possible.
- Stage Krishna leela tableaux; children dress as Krishna and Radha.
- Dahi Handi (Gopalkala) in Maharashtra and Gujarat was on Saturday, 5 September 2026.
Panchang for the day
Panchang for 4 September 2026 (New Delhi).
Janmashtami 2027
Krishna Janmashtami 2027 is listed on Wednesday, 25 August 2027.
Related
All times are IST for New Delhi unless stated otherwise. Muhurat changes with your city’s sunrise, sunset and moonrise: check today’s Panchang for your location. Outside India the date can differ; use your local panchang. Sources: Drik Panchang (New Delhi), cross-checked with Free Panchang’s own calculation (Lahiri ayanamsa); AstroSage 2026 festival calendar.
Frequently asked questions
- Janmashtami 2026 kab thi?
- Krishna Janmashtami 2026 was on Friday, 4 September 2026, for both Smarta and ISKCON followers.
- What was the Janmashtami 2026 Nishita puja time?
- In New Delhi Nishita puja was 11:57 PM to 12:43 AM IST on the night of 4–5 September 2026.
- When was Dahi Handi 2026?
- Dahi Handi was on Saturday, 5 September 2026.