The date for Krishna Janmashtami in 2025 has been confirmed after much confusion. As per the Hindu Panchang, the festival will be celebrated on Saturday, August 16, 2025, marking the 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Both Smarta and Vaishnava traditions, including temples in Mathura, Vrindavan, and ISKCON centres, will observe Janmashtami on this day.

Janmashtami 2025 Kab hai? Why the confusion over the date?

Krishna Janmashtami is traditionally celebrated on the Ashtami tithi of the Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha when it coincides with the Rohini Nakshatra — the exact celestial conditions believed to have been present during Lord Krishna’s birth in Mathura at midnight.

In 2025, the Ashtami tithi begins at 11:49 PM on August 15 and ends at 9:34 PM on August 16. The Rohini Nakshatra, however, will start later, at 4:38 AM on August 17, continuing until 3:17 AM on August 18. Since the sunrise on August 16 falls within Ashtami tithi, religious authorities have confirmed that the festival will be observed on this date.

Krishna Janmashtami 2025 date and time

• Festival date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
• Lord Krishna’s birth anniversary: 5,252nd
• Midnight puja muhurat: 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM (August 17)
• Exact midnight moment: 12:25 AM
• Moonrise time: 11:32 PM on August 16
• Paran (fast-breaking) time: After 5:51 AM on August 17

Janmashtami 2025 in Vrindavan

In Vrindavan, one of the most sacred sites associated with Lord Krishna’s life, Janmashtami 2025 will be celebrated with grand festivities on Saturday, August 16. The main celebrations at Banke Bihari Temple, ISKCON Vrindavan, and other prominent shrines will begin in the evening and continue past midnight. The midnight maha aarti marking Krishna’s birth is scheduled between 12:04 AM and 12:47 AM, with the exact moment of Janmotsav at 12:25 AM. Thousands of devotees are expected to gather for the abhishek ceremony, chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, and the rocking of the beautifully decorated cradle of Bal Gopal.

Krishna Janmashtami 2025: Special astrological combinations

This year’s Janmashtami will witness rare planetary alignments including Vriddhi Yoga, Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga, Amrit Siddhi Yoga, and Jwalamukhi Yoga. Astrologers say these auspicious yogas could bring positive outcomes, especially for people with Taurus, Cancer, and Leo as their zodiac signs.

Janmashtami 2025 Celebrations

The festival is observed with fasting, devotional songs, and midnight celebrations marking Krishna’s birth. Temples in Mathura, Vrindavan, and ISKCON centres worldwide will be decorated with flowers and lights. Special rituals such as ‘abhishek’ of Krishna idols with milk, curd, honey, and ghee will take place, along with offering makhan-mishri, kheer, and other delicacies.

Janmashtami: Types of fasting

Many devotees observe nirjala vrat (complete fast without water), while others follow phalahar vrat (consuming only fruits and milk). The fast is broken after the midnight puja and moonrise. Chanting of the mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” is considered highly auspicious, believed to bring mental peace and spiritual blessings.

Janmashtami Dos and don’ts

Devotees are advised to avoid tamasic food such as meat, alcohol, and onion-garlic on the festival day. Many choose to keep a nirjala (waterless) or phalahar (fruit-based) fast until midnight. Donating food to cows and visiting gaushalas is also considered highly auspicious on this day.

With the date now set, preparations are in full swing across India and among Krishna devotees worldwide to welcome the much-loved festival with devotion and joy.