Janmashtami 2025 puja timings revealed: Best time to celebrate Krishna Janmotsav
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When is Janmashtami 2025?
Nishita Puja (Midnight Muhurat):
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How India Celebrates Janmashtami
Fasting & Midnight Rituals
Jhulan Utsav & Baby Krishna Worship
Dahi Handi Thrill
Bhajans, Rasleela & Devotional Plays
Rituals to Observe at Home
Clean and decorate your home temple with fresh flowers.
Offer makhan, sweets, and tulsi leaves to Lord Krishna.
Sing devotional songs or read Krishna's childhood tales.
Rock the baby Krishna idol in a cradle at midnight.
Fun Ways to Celebrate with Family
Dress children as Krishna and Radha — a delight for both the kids and your camera!
Host a bhajan evening with neighbours and friends.
Watch mythological shows or films about Krishna together.
Prepare a simple satvik meal to enjoy after the midnight puja.
Why Janmashtami Still Matters Today
The triumph of Dharma (righteousness) over Adharma (evil).
The power of truth, love, and devotion.
Family bonding and cultural continuity in a fast-paced world.
Stories for Children — Lessons Wrapped in Fun
Krishna and Kalia Naag – Courage in the face of danger.
Krishna Lifting Govardhan Hill – Protection of the community.
Krishna Stealing Butter – The joy of innocence and mischief.
Sharing these stories keeps the festival alive in the next generation's imagination.
Janmashtami isn't just about remembering the birth of Lord Krishna, it's about reliving his stories, celebrating his mischief, and filling homes with devotion, laughter, and love. In 2025, the festival promises to be as vibrant as ever. Here's all you need to know.Mark your calendars! Janmashtami falls on Saturday, 16 August 2025, with a gazetted public holiday across India.The Ashtami Tithi begins late on 15 August and flows into 16 August, making it a night of devotion for millions.Time: 12:03 AM – 12:47 AM (some sources note 12:04 AM – 12:46 AM)Duration: Around 43 minutes — the most sacred window to welcome Krishna into your home and heart.From small village temples to bustling city streets, Janmashtami is a colourful spectacle.Devotees often fast through the day, some go without water, others sustain on fruits and milk, breaking the fast only after the midnight aarti, the moment of Krishna's divine birth.Idols of Laddu Gopal are placed on beautifully decorated swings. Families rock him gently at midnight, offering flowers, sweets, and tulsi leaves.In Maharashtra and parts of North India, human pyramids rise high as teams try to break pots filled with curd or butter, echoing Krishna's playful days in Gokul.The night resounds with bhajans, dramatic performances of Krishna's life (Rasleela), and recitations from the Bhagavata Purana.Beyond rituals, Janmashtami stands for values that never fade:
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Day-long fast, Krishna chants mark Janmashtami in city
1 2 Patna: With temples decorated, streets illuminated, and air filled with the rhythmic chants of 'Hare Rama, Hare Krishna' and 'bhajans', the city burst into a vibrant spectacle of faith and festivity as it celebrated Janmashtami on Saturday. Devotees observed fasts and decorated the idols of Sri Krishna at their homes to mark the birth of the Lord, as per the Hindu belief. After observing daylong fast, devotees prepared special 'prasad' to offer to the Lord at midnight, the moment believed to mark Krishna's birth. Many also flocked to temples, with the Iskcon temple on Buddha Marg serving as the epicentre of the celebrations. More than one lakh devotees thronged Iskcon throughout the day since it opened at 7am. As the day progressed, the footfall kept increasing, especially from evening, and reached a high around midnight when thousands witnesses the Lord's 'janmotsav' (birth celebrations) till the temple closed for devotees at 1am on Sunday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo The temple was transformed into a divine realm, decorated in the 'Vrindavan' theme with 80 quintals of flowers from several places, including Thailand, Bangkok and Bangalore. At the stroke of midnight, the temple performed its signature 'maha abhishek', a sacred bathing ceremony of the deity. The idol was bathed with holy water from 251 silver pots, a spectacle witnessed by thousands who patiently waited for darshan. Following the 'abhishek', a 'maha bhog' (edible offerings to the Lord) of 501 different kinds of dishes was offered to Lord Krishna before being distributed among the devotees as 'prasad'. Ishika Raj, a resident of Boring Road, said the festival brings an unmatched joy to her family. "Janmashtami is not just a ritual for us, it is a feeling. I have been observing fast on this occasion since I was in school. I fast all day and then, at midnight, sing bhajans, rock the cradle of Bal Gopal, and perform 'aarti', along with my family. Apart from the temples, local communities also organised cultural Dahi-Handi competitions, re-enacting the playful antics of Lord Krishna. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
How to prepare charanamrit for Janmashtami 2025
Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals. On this day, devotees observe fasting, perform Krishna Abhishekam, and offer Charanamrit, a sacred mixture also called Panchamrit. Literally meaning 'nectar of five,' Charanamrit is believed to purify the mind, body, and soul. It is distributed as prasadam after midnight puja and holds immense spiritual IS CHARANAMRIT?Charanamrit, also known as Panchamrit, is a holy offering made from five primary ingredients: milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar. Each ingredient symbolises purity, nourishment, and divinity. It is first offered to Lord Krishna and then distributed among devotees as TO PREPARE CHARANAMRITTo prepare Charanamrit for Janmashtami, you need the following: 1 cup fresh milk (symbol of purity and nurturing)Half cup fresh curd (for health and vitality)1 tablespoon ghee (symbol of strength and energy)1 tablespoon honey (symbol of sweetness and unity)2 tablespoons sugar or mishri (for happiness and prosperity)Optional additions: Tulsi leaves, chopped dry fruits (almonds, cashews, raisins), grated coconutSTEP BY STEP RECIPE FOR CHARANAMRIT1. Take a clean bowl – Ensure the vessel used is washed and considered pure for religious purposes.2. Pour milk and curd – Add fresh milk and curd into the bowl. Stir gently.3. Mix in honey and sugar – Add honey and sugar (or mishri) and let them dissolve naturally.4. Add ghee – Slowly blend in the ghee while stirring clockwise.5. Enhance with Tulsi and dry fruits – Add Tulsi leaves (considered very sacred to Lord Krishna) and a few chopped dry fruits or grated coconut for flavor and richness.6. Offer to Lord Krishna – Place the prepared Charanamrit in front of Krishna's idol during the midnight puja.7. Distribute as Prasadam – After the puja, serve it to devotees and family members as a OF CHARANAMRIT IN JANMASHTAMIBelieved to cleanse the soul and invite divine the five natural elements and their ingredient carries health benefits, making it both sacred and nourishing.- Ends
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
‘Dressing my son as Krishna is the highlight of this Janmashtami'
For Pranitha Subash, this Krishna Janmashtami is one she's been looking forward to for months. 'This will be the first time we are celebrating the festival after the birth of our son,' she says, adding, 'Of all the festivals, Krishna Janmashtami is my favourite because it honours my beloved deity, which is why it holds such deep significance for me. Previously, we celebrated with our daughter, all dressed up as Krishna, and this year, my son will take on the role.' The timing makes this year's celebration even more special. 'Last year, he was born around the same time as Krishna Janmashtami, so this year will be the first time we celebrate it with him. His birthday falls on Monday, and the festival is on Sunday, so the timing perfectly aligns,' she shares. 'We took him to Tirupati and performed a head-shaving ceremony, and we plan to visit ISKCON, the Krishna temple in Bangalore, this weekend. ' 'My grandmother took special interest in celebrating Krishna Janmashtami' Her earliest memories of the festival are rooted in her Bangalore home. 'My grandmother took great special interest in this festival. We used to have guests come over and sweets, murukku, and other savouries were distributed,' she recalls. 'I think my favourite was always semiya payasam. On the morning of the festival, we used to paint baby footprints resembling Lord Krishna's from the main doorstep all the way to the prayer room, symbolising his arrival into the house. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In the prayer room, there was a silver cradle where we placed a small Krishna idol. It felt as if the deity had come crawling into the house and was now sitting in the prayer room.' 'The joy of dressing up as Krishna has stayed with me' The tradition of dressing up as Krishna runs deep in her family. 'When I was a child, my parents used to dress me up as Krishna. Growing up, I took part in many competitions like dress-up contests and dance performances. I used to perform Bharatanatyam on the day of the festival in Krishna temples. I'm really looking forward to taking my kids to such celebrations this year.' 'The Bhagavad Gita is deeply meaningful; it encompasses everything Krishna has taught' Talking about Lord Krishna's teachings and what resonates most with her, she says, 'The Bhagavad Gita is deeply meaningful in every way. It isn't just a collection of verses; it's a complete guide to life, weaving together philosophy, insight, and timeless wisdom. Every line carries Krishna's teachings, offering lessons on courage, duty, and understanding oneself. It's impossible to pick a single quote, because the richness of the scripture lies in experiencing it as a whole. Reading it feels like stepping into a vast ocean of thought, where each passage reveals something new, and together they form a profound reflection of everything Krishna has taught.' -Divya Shree "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
