Krishna Janmashtami 2026: date and timings

Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna on Krishna Ashtami of the month Shravana in the amanta calendar (Bhadrapada in the purnimanta calendar). Devotees fast through the day and worship at midnight, the time of his birth. Dahi Handi is celebrated in Maharashtra the next day, and in the South it is also called Gokulashtami or Krishnashtami.

The main puja is at midnight (nishita kaal) while Ashtami prevails. Smarta households follow this midnight rule, while Vaishnava communities, including ISKCON, observe the day on which Ashtami prevails at sunrise, so the two can fall a day apart.

Krishna Ashtami runs from 1:05 am, 4 Sept to 10:55 pm, 4 Sept (Indian Standard Time).

Windows follow the traditional rule for this festival and the tithi timing for each city. Tithi times are approximate, usually within about 30 minutes, so for a vrata or homam confirm the exact muhurat with your purohit.

Many families, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, choose the puja or shopping time on Krishna Janmashtami from the Choghadiya. Amrit, Shubh and Labh are the good periods; Char also suits travel.