When Is Krishna Janmashtami 2026? September 3 or 4; Check Correct Date, Puja Time & More Details

Krishna Janmashtami is the festival which celebrates Lord Krishna's birth day. Every year Janamastami falls in the Bhadrapad month of Hindu calendar. This year is the 5253rd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.

When is Janmashtami 2026?

As per Drik Panchang's calculations, Janmashtami 2026 is falling on Thursday, September 3rd for most of India. Devotees who follow the ISKCON and Vaishnava tradition will observe the festival a day later, on Friday, September 4.

Dahi Handi, the curd pot-breaking festivity associated with Janmashtami will be celebrated the day after Janmashtami, on September 4.

The Date Confusion; September 3 and 4

The confusion around the date is due to the astrological conditions that are believed to have coincided at the moment of Krishna's birth: Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra, both falling during Nishita Kaal, the Hindu midnight.

As per Drik Panchang this year, Ashtami Tithi begins at 4:55 PM on September 3rd and continues until 2:43 PM on September 4. Rohini Nakshatra runs from 2:59 PM on September 3 to 1:34 PM on September 4. Janmashtami will be observed on September 3rd since the midnight moment of September 3-4 at 1:08 AM falls within this Ashtami-Rohini window, the Smarta tradition which is followed by most Hindu households.

ISKCON and Vaishnava temples apply a stricter rule and observe the festival on September 4 instead.

Nishita Puja Muhurat

This is the most auspicious time to perform Krishna's midnight birth puja falls between 12:45 AM and 1:30 AM on September 4, a window of 44 minutes. This is when temples and households carry out the main aarti, since this is the exact moment Krishna is believed to have been born in Mathura.

When to Break the Fast: The Parana Muhurat

People who observe a day-long fast on Janmashtami have a few options for Parana, which is breaking the fast. As per Dharma Shastra, the ideal Parana time is after 2:43 PM on September 4, once both Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra have ended. However, alternatively, the Parana can also be done after 6:40 AM on September 4th, after sunrise, Dev Puja and visarjan.