Mumbai: Krishna Janmashtami, one of the most revered festivals in Hinduism, marks the birth of Lord Krishna – the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu – during the Dwapara Yuga. Each year, devotees across India and around the world celebrate the occasion with grand festivities, devotional singing, and temple decorations. According to Hindu belief, Lord Vishnu took birth in human form as Krishna to restore dharma and protect humanity from evil.
In 2025, Janmashtami will be observed over two days – 15 and 16 August – as per the Drik Panchang. This is because the Ashtami Tithi (eighth lunar day) begins at 11:49 PM on 15 August and ends at 9:34 PM on 16 August, while the Rohini Nakshatra will run from 17 to 18 August. The overlap of these timings has led to different traditions marking the festival on separate dates.
Janmashtami for Saints and Monks
In Hindu tradition, the festival is observed by all, but the date and manner of celebration may differ. Saints and ascetics celebrate Janmashtami with deep devotion and love for Krishna. They observe a strict fast (often without water) and remain immersed in chanting and prayer until midnight, the believed time of Lord Krishna’s birth. At that moment, they perform rituals such as bathing the idol, adorning it with new clothes, and placing it in a decorated cradle, followed by breaking their fast. Monks also engage in satsang (spiritual gatherings) and recite Krishna’s life stories.
Followers of the Smarta tradition follow precise guidelines from scriptures like Dharmasindhu and Nirnayasindhu to determine the festival date. For them, Janmashtami is celebrated strictly on the Ashtami Tithi, with the midnight birth celebration forming the core of the observance.
Janmashtami for Household Devotees
Householders, often associated with the Vaishnava tradition, celebrate Janmashtami when Ashtami Tithi coincides with Rohini Nakshatra. In 2025, the two do not align, hence many will observe the fast on 16 August. For Vaishnava devotees, the following day is equally significant as it marks the Dahi Handi festival, a lively re-enactment of Krishna’s childhood pastime of stealing butter.