Krishna Janmashtami 2025: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Fasting Rules & Lord Krishna’s 5252nd Birth Anniversary Celebrations,
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 is set to be a grand spiritual celebration, marking the 5252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna — the beloved eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Observed on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the sacred month of Bhadrapada, the festival is celebrated with immense devotion across India and by Hindus worldwide. This year, a major point of curiosity surrounds the exact date — August 15 or 16, 2025 — prompting devotees to look closely at city-wise shubh muhurat, ISKCON celebration schedules, and fasting rules. From vibrant temple decorations and soulful bhajans to kids dressed adorably as Krishna and Radha, Krishna Janmashtami 2025 promises to bring together faith, festivity, and tradition in a truly divine way.
Exact Date, Puja Timings & Why It Will Be Celebrated on Two Days
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 has sparked curiosity among devotees, as confusion surrounds whether the festival falls on August 15 or August 16. According to Drik Panchang, the Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi of the Bhadrapada month will begin at 11:49 PM on August 15 and end at 9:34 PM on August 16. This overlap means that some sects will observe the festival on August 15, while others will celebrate on August 16. The Nishita Puja Muhurat, considered the most auspicious time to worship Lord Krishna, will be from 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM on August 16, with the exact Hindu Nishita Kaal moment at 12:26 AM. As per tradition, this divine night commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, with midnight prayers, bhajans, and rituals performed during the sacred window.
Shubh Muhurat, Ashtami Tithi & Key Festival Timings
The auspicious festival of Krishna Janmashtami 2025 begins on Friday, August 15, with the sacred Ashtami Tithi starting at 11:49 PM and ending at 9:34 PM on August 16. According to Drik Panchang, the most significant Nishita Puja Muhurat — the divine midnight hour for worship — will be observed from 12:06 AM to 12:49 AM on August 16, with the Midnight Moment falling at 12:27 AM. Devotees can participate in the vibrant Dahi Handi celebrations on Saturday, August 16, while the Parana (breaking of the fast) as per Dharma Shastra is scheduled after 9:34 PM on August 16, or by 5:51 AM on August 17 for those observing with Rohini Nakshatra consideration. Moonrise on August 16 is expected at 11:32 PM, adding to the divine ambiance of the night-long celebrations.
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City-Wise Shubh Muhurat for Midnight Puja
For Krishna Janmashtami 2025, the Nishita Kaal — the most sacred midnight period for worship — varies across cities, allowing devotees to plan their celebrations with precision. In Pune, the muhurat will be from 12:17 AM to 01:02 AM on August 16, while New Delhi observes it from 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM. Chennai devotees will worship from 11:51 PM to 12:36 AM, and in Jaipur, the time is 12:10 AM to 12:53 AM. Hyderabad marks its muhurat between 11:58 PM and 12:43 AM, and Gurgaon follows 12:05 AM to 12:48 AM. Chandigarh has 12:06 AM to 12:49 AM, whereas Kolkata celebrates from 11:19 PM on August 16 to 12:03 AM on August 17. In Mumbai, the muhurat falls between 12:20 AM and 01:05 AM, Bengaluru from 12:01 AM to 12:47 AM, Ahmedabad from 12:22 AM to 01:06 AM, and Noida from 12:03 AM to 12:47 AM. These city-wise timings ensure that devotees can align their prayers with the most auspicious moments to welcome Lord Krishna’s divine birth.
कृष्णा जन्माष्टमी तक 60 लाख भक्त वृंदावन पहुंचेंगे: 450 करोड़ की सिर्फ कान्हा की पोशाक बिकेंगी; पढ़िए क्यों खास हैं ये कपड़े #Janmashtami2025 #Mathura #UttarPradesh https://t.co/lB9ZLSyJJy pic.twitter.com/LL6NmPgO9t
— Dainik Bhaskar (@DainikBhaskar) August 10, 2025
Types of Fasts & Parana Timings
During Krishna Janmashtami 2025, devotees observe different types of fasts to honor Lord Krishna’s birth. The Nirjala Fast is the strictest, with no food or water until it is broken at midnight after prayers and aarti, while the Phalahar Fast allows fruits, milk, and water but excludes grains, legumes, onions, and garlic. As per Dharma Shastra, Parana — the ritual breaking of the fast — can be done after 9:34 PM on August 16, 2025 when Ashtami Tithi ends, or at 5:51 AM the following morning after sunrise and puja rituals. In modern tradition, some devotees break their fast after 12:47 AM on August 16, following the midnight celebrations.
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What to Eat and Avoid During the Fast
During Krishna Janmashtami 2025, devotees strictly avoid grains, pulses, rice, regular salt, onions, and garlic while observing the fast. Instead, they consume vrat-friendly foods like bananas, apples, and pomegranates, along with dairy items such as milk, yogurt, paneer, and butter. Root vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes are allowed, as well as flours made from buckwheat (kuttu), amaranth (rajgira), and water chestnut (singhara). Only sendha namak (rock salt) is used in all preparations, ensuring the meal stays pure and in line with traditional fasting rules.
#WATCH | Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: Potra Kund and Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple were illuminated ahead of the 79th Independence Day 2025 and Shri Krishna Janmotsav. pic.twitter.com/HW6hK9m5Hu
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
Rituals and Midnight Celebrations
On Krishna Janmashtami 2025, devotees immerse themselves in devotion through day-long prayers, soulful bhajans, and readings from sacred scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita. Many visit beautifully decorated temples to witness special pujas and tableaux depicting Lord Krishna’s life. The highlight of the festival is the Krishna Janmotsav at midnight, marking the divine moment of his birth, after which the fast is ceremonially broken with offerings and aarti.
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The Divine Birth Story of Lord Krishna
The celebration of Krishna Janmashtami 2025 honors the miraculous birth of Lord Krishna in Mathura, as described in sacred texts like the Mahabharata and Harivamsa. Born to Vasudeva and Devaki while they were imprisoned by the tyrant King Kansa, Krishna was the prophesied eighth avatar of Vishnu destined to end Kansa’s reign of terror. On the night of his birth, a divine power put the prison guards to sleep, allowing Vasudeva to carry the newborn across the Yamuna River to Gokul, where Nanda and Yashoda lovingly raised him. Years later, Krishna fulfilled the prophecy by defeating Kansa, a victory celebrated joyfully during Janmashtami each year.
#WATCH | Mathura, UP: On preparation of Krishna Janmashtami celebrations 2025, Kapil Sharma, Secretary of Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust, says, “…This time, influenced by ‘Operation Sindoor,’ god will be seated in the Sindoor ‘Pushp-Bungalow’ (abode of flowers); hence, yellow… pic.twitter.com/63DkLHp8G6
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2025
Dahi Handi Festivities & ISKCON Celebrations
As part of the vibrant Krishna Janmashtami 2025 celebrations, the thrilling Dahi Handi event will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, drawing crowds to witness human pyramids recreate Lord Krishna’s playful butter-stealing pastime. ISKCON temples across the country will also host grand celebrations on the same day, featuring devotional kirtans, abhishekam rituals, and midnight aarti, immersing devotees in the joyous spirit of Krishna’s birth anniversary.
Spiritual Significance of the Festival
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 holds deep spiritual importance, marking the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. On this sacred day, devotees observe fasting, engage in heartfelt prayers, meditate, and sing devotional bhajans in praise of the Lord. Temples across India come alive with elaborate decorations, special pujas, and dramatic reenactments of Krishna’s life events, inspiring faith and joy among millions of worshippers worldwide.