Festival calendar
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: date and how it is observed
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 is on Friday, 4 September 2026.
Date
Friday, 4 September 2026
Tithi
Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami, at midnight
About Krishna Janmashtami
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami. Devotees fast until midnight, sing bhajans, decorate cradles and, in Maharashtra and Gujarat, break the dahi handi.
How Krishna Janmashtami is observed
- Fast until midnight and worship Krishna at the time of birth.
- Bathe, dress and place baby Krishna in a decorated cradle.
- Sing bhajans and read the Vishnu Sahasranama.
Stotras to read
More festivals in 2026
- Lohri
- Makar Sankranti
- Vasant Panchami
- Maha Shivratri
- Holi
- Ugadi & Gudi Padwa
- Ram Navami
- Hanuman Jayanti
- Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Guru Purnima
- Raksha Bandhan
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Sharad Navratri
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
- Sharad Purnima
- Karwa Chauth
- Dhanteras
- Govardhan Puja
- Bhai Dooj
- Chhath Puja
- Dev Uthani Ekadashi
- Kartik Purnima
- Diwali (Deepavali)
Dates are for New Delhi, calculated and checked against published panchangs. When a tithi spans two days or a region follows a different rule, a festival can fall a day earlier or later. For the exact muhurat in your city, check the local panchang.
Frequently asked questions
When is Krishna Janmashtami in 2026?
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 is on Friday, 4 September 2026. The dates are for New Delhi.
Which tithi is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated on?
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami, at midnight. This follows the North Indian (Purnimanta) calendar.
Why is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated?
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami. Devotees fast until midnight, sing bhajans, decorate cradles and, in Maharashtra and Gujarat, break the dahi handi.
Can the date of Krishna Janmashtami differ in my city?
Yes. When a tithi spans two days, or a region follows a different rule, a festival can fall a day earlier or later. For the exact muhurat of the puja, check the panchang for your city.
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