Krishna Janmashtami 2026: date and puja muhurat
Krishna Janmashtami is on Friday, 4 September, 2026. In Lucknow, the midnight (nishita kaal) window is 11:42 pm to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept). Krishna Ashtami runs from 2:35 am, 4 Sept to 12:25 am, 5 Sept.
About Krishna Janmashtami
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.
How the timing is decided
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.
What to do
- Fast until the midnight puja
- Decorate a cradle for Bala Krishna
- Draw small footprints from the door to the puja room
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 muhurat by city
Krishna Ashtami runs from 2:35 am, 4 Sept to 12:25 am, 5 Sept (Indian Standard Time).
| City | Date | Puja window | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | 4 Sept | 11:51 pm to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:27 pm |
| Delhi | 4 Sept | 11:57 pm to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:39 pm |
| Mumbai | 4 Sept | 12:14 am to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:50 pm |
| Chennai | 4 Sept | 11:44 pm to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:17 pm |
| Bengaluru | 4 Sept | 11:55 pm to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:28 pm |
| Kolkata | 4 Sept | 11:12 pm to 11:58 pm (night of 4 Sept) | 5:51 pm |
| Vijayawada | 4 Sept | 11:43 pm to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:18 pm |
| Visakhapatnam | 4 Sept | 11:33 pm to 12:19 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:08 pm |
| Pune | 4 Sept | 12:10 am to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:46 pm |
| Ahmedabad | 4 Sept | 12:15 am to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:54 pm |
| Jaipur | 4 Sept | 12:03 am to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:44 pm |
| Lucknow | 4 Sept | 11:42 pm to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept) | 6:23 pm |
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.
Also on Friday, 4 September in Lucknow
- Rahu Kalam10:30 am to 12:05 pm
- Sunrise and sunset5:46 am and 6:23 pm
- Moonrise and moonsetMoonrise 11:13 pm, moonset 12:48 pm
- Tithi at sunriseKrishna Ashtami
- NakshatraRohini
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 Choghadiya in Lucknow
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.
| Time | Choghadiya | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| 5:46 am to 7:21 am | Char | Weak |
| 7:21 am to 8:55 am | Labh | Good |
| 8:55 am to 10:30 am | Amrit | Good |
| 10:30 am to 12:05 pm | Kaal | Avoid |
| 12:05 pm to 1:39 pm | Shubh | Good |
| 1:39 pm to 3:14 pm | Rog | Avoid |
| 3:14 pm to 4:48 pm | Udveg | Avoid |
| 4:48 pm to 6:23 pm | Char | Weak |
| 6:23 pm to 7:48 pm (night) | Rog | Avoid |
| 7:48 pm to 9:14 pm (night) | Kaal | Avoid |
| 9:14 pm to 10:39 pm (night) | Labh | Good |
| 10:39 pm to 12:05 am (night) | Udveg | Avoid |
| 12:05 am to 1:30 am (night) | Shubh | Good |
| 1:30 am to 2:56 am (night) | Amrit | Good |
| 2:56 am to 4:21 am (night) | Char | Weak |
| 4:21 am to 5:47 am (night) | Rog | Avoid |
Questions people ask
When is Krishna Janmashtami in 2026?
Krishna Janmashtami is on Friday, 4 September, 2026.
What is the Krishna Janmashtami 2026 puja muhurat in Lucknow?
In Lucknow, the midnight (nishita kaal) window is 11:42 pm to 12:25 am (night of 4 Sept). Krishna Ashtami runs from 2:35 am, 4 Sept to 12:25 am, 5 Sept.
Why is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated?
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.