Latest news with #NishitaKaalPuja
Economic Times
4 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
Janmashtami Vrat 2025: Date, puja muhurat, fasting rules, rituals & significance
Synopsis Janmashtami, a significant Hindu festival, celebrates Lord Krishna's birth on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada. Devotees observe it with fasting, varying from strict abstention to consuming only fruits and milk. The auspicious Nishita Kaal Puja is scheduled between 12:04 AM and 12:47 AM on August 16, 2025, followed by breaking the fast after sunrise on August 17. Agencies Janmashtami, one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar, celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna — the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Observed nationwide, it falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of year, Janmashtami will be celebrated on Saturday, August 16. Devotees mark the occasion with fasting to purify the body and mind. While fasting customs differ across regions and personal traditions, they are all rooted in devotion and reverence. Krishna Janmashtami in 2025 will be observed on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16. The Nishita Kaal Puja — regarded as the most auspicious time for worship — is scheduled between 12:04 AM and 12:47 AM on August 16, according to Drik Panchang. This sacred window aligns with the believed midnight birth of Lord may vary slightly across cities due to local lunar calculations, so devotees should consult their regional panchang for accuracy. The Parana (fast-breaking) is recommended on August 17 after sunrise, once both Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra have ended. Maintain cleanliness: Begin the day with a bath, clean your home, and ensure the puja area is spotless. Give the idols of Lord Krishna and Laddoo Gopal ji a ceremonial bath. Take a sankalp (pledge): While fasting, make a conscious vow about your worship intentions. Spend the day chanting mantras and prayers. Prepare homemade prasad: Offer sweets and dishes like peda, gheeya ki lauj, nariyal gajak, panjeeri, and other milk-based treats prepared at home. Practice charity: Donate food, clothing, or money to those in need as an expression of goodwill and devotion. Avoid non-vegetarian food: Refrain from consuming meat, fish, or eggs during this period, even if not fasting. No alcohol or intoxicants: Abstain from alcohol, tobacco, or any addictive substances during the fast. Nirjala fast: The strictest form, where devotees abstain from both food and water until midnight — the believed time of Krishna's birth. The fast is broken after prayers and aarti. Phalahar fast: A milder version allowing fruits, milk, and water. Devotees avoid grains, legumes, onions, and garlic, adhering to a sattvic (pure) diet. Janmashtami fasting is often accompanied by bhajans, prayers, and readings from the Bhagavad Gita or Krishna Leela. Many visit temples to witness grand celebrations of Krishna's birth. The fast is broken at midnight by first offering the prepared prasad to Lord Krishna and then partaking in it.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Krishna Janmashtami 2025: Puja muhurat, vrat vidhi, fasting & significance of gokulashtami
Krishna Janmashtami 2025, observed on August 15 and 16, celebrates Lord Krishna's birth with fasting, devotional singing, and midnight puja. The Nishita Kaal Puja, the most auspicious time for worship, occurs between 12:04 AM and 12:47 AM on August 16. Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, marks the joyous celebration of Lord Krishna's birth, an occasion deeply revered by devotees across the world. Falling on the Ashtami tithi of Krishna Paksha, it is observed with fasting, devotional singing, dramatic enactments of Krishna's life, and midnight puja. The festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil and the nurturing of divine love. In 2025, Janmashtami holds special significance, with elaborate rituals planned in temples and homes alike, uniting communities in devotion, cultural performances, and festive cheer from dusk till dawn. Puja muhurat 2025 Image: Canva Krishna Janmashtami in 2025 will be celebrated on Saturday, August 15 and 16 this year. The Nishita Kaal Puja, considered the most auspicious moment of worship, will take place from 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM on August 16, as per Drik Panchang. This period marks the symbolic birth of Lord Krishna, who is believed to have incarnated at midnight. City-wise timings may differ slightly based on local lunar calculations, so devotees are encouraged to refer to regional panchang calendars. The Parana, or fast-breaking, is to be done on August 17 after sunrise, following the conclusion of Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra. Vrat vidhi The day starts off with a bath in the early morning and the promise of the fast and the midnight worship. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Egypt: Unsold Sofas at Bargain Prices (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Sins clean their worship area and place a picture or image of Bal Gopal (baby Krishna) decked with flowers, tulsi leaves and jewellery. A swing or a cradle is ready to celebrate the midnight. All through the day, the devotees partake of japa (chanting), bhajans and readings of the Bhagavad Gita or Bhagavata Purana. At midnight,mrking Shri Krishna's birth, his idol is ritually bathed in panchamrit (a combination of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) and put on new clothes and presented with sweets, fruits and makhan-mishri. There is aarti and rocking the cradle to receive the divine child and celebrate the end of the day. Fasting guidelines Janmashtami fasting is regarded as a sacred offering of devotion by many devotees. Some of them observe nirjala vrat, which means fastiing without having any food or water up to midnight and others have a phalahar diet that is fruits, milk, and light sattvik preparations. Typical food followed during vrat include sabudana khichdi, kuttu puri, fruits and homemade prasad. The followers do not eat grains, onion, garlic, and intense spices, keeping both body and mind pure. The following morning there is offering of food to Lord Krishna and in accordance with Parana one breaks the fast. The matter of health should be taken into consideration and those who cannot fast with rigidity can perform light fasting without breaking the mood of devotion. Importance Of Gokulashtami Image: Canva Gokulashtami is a festival observing the birth of Shri Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu born to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura. The core of Janmashtami celebrations is his childhood life in Gokul as an infant under the guardianship of Yashoda and Nanda, his mischievous leelas and the key role that he played in enlightening mankind through the Bhagavad Gita. The festival, to the spiritually-minded, symbolises righteousness triumphing over tyranny as represented by the defeat of Kamsa by Krishna. The midnight celebration is a reminder of the divine arrival, bringing hope, joy, and the promise of protection to devotees. Nandotsav and dahi handi Image: Canva The next day also of Janmashtami is celebrated in most parts to commemorate the celebrations of Nanda Maharaj at the birth of Krishna in the form of Nandotsav. In the state of Maharashtra and some sections of western India, the Dahi Handi ritual involves vociferous groups of young people creating a human pyramid to smash pots of curd milk or butter, re-enacting the childhood heroics of Krishna. It is a very popular event that involves devoutness and community engagement in music and dance. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
