4 सितंबर
Krishna Janmashtami
Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna
See all Krishna content →History
Janmashtami is celebrated on Krishna Ashtami of the Bhadrapada month, marking the night Lord Krishna was born as the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva in a Mathura prison cell. To protect the infant from the tyrant king Kansa, Vasudeva carried Krishna across the Yamuna that very night and left him in Gokul with Nanda and Yashoda, who raised him.
Significance
Janmashtami celebrates the divine descent to protect righteousness and vanquish adversity. Devotees observe a night vigil with bhajans and kirtan, fasting through the day and performing special worship at midnight — the moment of Krishna's birth.
Puja Vidhi
Observe a fast through the day. In the evening, decorate an idol of Krishna in a decorated cradle. At midnight, bathe the infant Krishna idol with panchamrit, dress it in new clothes and ornaments, perform aarti, and offer bhog. Temples host raslila performances and all-night kirtan.
Mantra
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya॥
This twelve-syllable mantra is dedicated to Vishnu/Krishna and represents devotion and surrender.
Muhurat
The main worship is performed at midnight on Ashtami tithi — especially auspicious when it coincides with Rohini Nakshatra. Check the Panchang for the exact timing.
Check today's Panchang →Do's & Don'ts
✅ Do
- • Stay awake for the midnight puja
- • Rock the infant Krishna idol in a decorated cradle
- • Offer panchamrit bhog and distribute prasad
- • Take part in bhajans, kirtan, and raslila
❌ Don't
- • Avoid eating before the midnight puja if observing the fast
- • Don't touch the infant Krishna idol with unwashed hands
- • Keep the puja area clean and organized
- • Avoid grains during the fast