Janmashtami 2025 Correct Date: August 15 Or 16? City-Wise Muhurat, Fasting Rules And Lord Krishna's Birth Story
JANMASHTAMI 2025 CORRECT DATE: Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is a Hindu festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and by Hindus worldwide, Janmashtami usually falls in August, on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada. This year marks 5252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Here is a look at the fasting rules and rituals to be performed on Krishna Janmasthami.
JANMASHTAMI 2025 DATE CONFUSION
According to Drik Panchang, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated in India on August 15 and 16, 2025. The Nishita Puja will take place from 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM on August 16. Additionally, Dahi Handi celebrations will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
According to Drik Panchang:
TITHI AND NAKSHATRA
Ashtami Tithi Begins: 11:49 PM on August 15, 2025
Ashtami Tithi Ends: 09:34 PM on August 16, 2025
Rohini Nakshatra Begins: 04:38 AM on August 17, 2025
Rohini Nakshatra Ends: 03:17 AM on August 18, 2025
Janmashtami in 2025 falls without the Rohini Nakshatra.
PARANA (BREAKING THE FAST)
As per Dharma Shastra:
Parana Time: After 09:34 PM on August 16, 2025 (Ashtami Tithi ends at 09:34 PM)
Alternate Parana (Traditional Dharma Shastra View):
Parana Time: After 05:51 AM on August 16, 2025
(Can be done at sunrise following Deva Puja and Visarjan rituals)
AS PER MODERN TRADITION:
Parana Time: After 12:47 AM on August 16, 2025
(Many regions in India observe Parana after Nishita Puja i.e., midnight)
DAHI HANDI
Dahi Handi will be celebrated on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Nishita Puja (Midnight Worship)
Time: 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM on August 17, 2025
Midnight Moment (Nishita Kaal): 12:25 AM, August 17
Chandrodaya (Moonrise): 11:32 PM on Krishna Dashami
Tithi and Nakshatra Details
Ashtami Tithi Begins: 11:49 PM on August 15, 2025
Ashtami Tithi Ends: 09:34 PM on August 16, 2025
On Parana day, Ashtami ends before sunrise
Rohini Nakshatra Begins: 04:38 AM on August 17, 2025
Rohini Nakshatra Ends: 03:17 AM on August 18, 2025
Janmashtami in 2025 occurs without Rohini Nakshatra during Nishita Puja.
Parana (Breaking the Fast) – ISKCON
Parana Time: After 05:51 AM on August 17, 2025
CITY-WISE KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI MUHURAT
New Delhi: 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM, Aug 16
Mumbai: 12:20 AM to 01:05 AM, Aug 16
Ahmedabad: 12:22 AM to 01:06 AM, Aug 16
Bengaluru: 12:01 AM to 12:47 AM, Aug 16
Chennai: 11:51 PM to 12:36 AM, Aug 16
Kolkata: 11:19 PM, Aug 16 to 12:03 AM, Aug 17
Pune: 12:17 AM to 01:02 AM, Aug 16
Jaipur: 12:10 AM to 12:53 AM, Aug 16
Hyderabad: 11:58 PM to 12:43 AM, Aug 16
Gurgaon: 12:05 AM to 12:48 AM, Aug 16
Chandigarh: 12:06 AM to 12:49 AM, Aug 16
Noida: 12:03 AM to 12:47 AM, Aug 16
Janmashtami Fasting Rules
Devotees who are going to observe a fast on Janmashtami can have only a single meal before the auspicious day. Only when the Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi are over can they break their fast.
According to Drik Panchang, the ritualistic Puja should be performed at midnight of Janmashtami. Devotees must adhere to all sixteen steps of Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi.
Types of Fasts
Nirjala Fast: Strict fast—no food or water all day. Broken at midnight after prayers and aarti.
Phalahar Fast: Lighter fast with fruits, milk, and water. No grains, legumes, onions, or garlic.
What to Avoid
Grains, pulses, rice, regular salt, onions, garlic
What You Can Eat
Fruits: Banana, apple, pomegranate
Dairy: Milk, yogurt, paneer, butter
Root Veggies: Potatoes, sweet potatoes
Flours: Buckwheat (kuttu), amaranth (rajgira), water chestnut (singhara)
Salt: Only sendha namak (rock salt)
Janmashtami 2025 Rituals
Devotees spend the day in prayer, singing bhajans, reading scriptures, and visiting temples.
Fast is broken at midnight after Krishna Janmotsav (celebration of his birth).
STORY OF LORD KRISHNA'S BIRTH
Lord Krishna was born in Mathura, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, per the Hindu scriptures like the Mahabharata, Harivamsa, and the Krishna Charitas. Considered the eighth avatar of Vishnu, Krishna was born to Vasudeva Anakdundubhi and his wife Devaki. At the time of Krishna's birth, his parents were imprisoned by his maternal uncle, Kansa.
There was a prophecy that Devaki's eighth child would be the end of the tyrant Kansa. For the same reason, he murdered six of Devaki's children before Krishna's birth. A divine force sent all the prison guards into deep slumber after Krisha was born.
Overcoming several obstacles, his father, Vasudeva, crossed the Yamuna River and took Krishna to Nanda, a cowherd chief in the village of Gokul. Nanda and his wife, Yashoda, raised Krishna as their foster child.
After Krishan grew up, he eventually killed Kamsa, fulfilling the prophecy about him.
Adorable Krishna and Radha Outfit Ideas for Children
For Krishna Look
Dress: Choose a yellow or golden dhoti (wrap-style bottom) and pair it with a small angavastram (scarf) or vest-style top. Satin or cotton fabric works well.
Accessories: Add a peacock feather crown (mor-mukut), flute (bansuri), and beaded jewellery like armlets (baajuband), bangles, and necklaces.
Makeup: Draw a small tilak on the forehead with sandalwood paste or kajal. Apply light kajal to the eyes for a traditional touch.
For Radha Look
Dress: Use a lehenga-choli or ghaghra in bright colors like red, pink, or blue. Add a small dupatta or odhani over the head or shoulder.
Accessories: Decorate with flower garlands, bindi, bangles, anklets, and small earrings. A maang tikka or forehead ornament adds elegance.
Janmashtami 2025 FAQs
When is Janmashtami 2025?
According to Drik Panchang, Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 16 this year.
How is Lord Krishna related to Vishnu?
Lord Krishna is considered the eighth avatar of Vishnu.
What was the prophecy about Lord Krishna?
The prophecy about Lord Krishna was that he would bring an end to Kansa and his tyranny.
Vasudeva Anakdundubhi and Devaki are Lord Krishna's birth parents. His foster parents are Nanda and Yashoda.
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