Janmashtami 2025: Celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna with Faith, Festivity, and Devotion

Posted on August 4, 2025

Janmashtami 2025: The Divine Call of Janmashtami

Written by : Badhaai Do

Category: Janmashtami 2025 : Celebration of Lord Krishna

In this year 2025, Janmashtami festival will be Saturday, August 16, and the whole world will celebrate Lord Krishna’s birthday.

The story of Krishna’s birth is celebrated across India. Over 5,000 years ago, a cruel ruler Kansa, a form of evil feared by all in Aaryavart, then a prophecy declared that the eighth child of Kansa’s sister Devaki will kill him and make peace. Then angered, Kansa imprisoned his sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva and killed their first six children. But destiny had its plan.

On the stormy midnight of Ashtami, the eighth child of Vasudeva was born, then prison doors opened, all guards fell asleep, and Vasudeva carried his son in a basket and crossed the flooded river Yamuna and visited Gokul Dhaam where Vasudeva’s son was raised by Yashoda and Nanda.

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In the morning, devotees bathe and clean pooja places, also decorate floors and rooms with little Krishna (Baal Gopal or Laddu Gopal) image and footprints.
And in temples and homes, devotees bathe Krishna idols like Laddu Gopal in Panchamrit (milk, honey, curd, ghee, and sugar), after that dress them in silk garments, with jewels, peacock feathers, and garlands etc.

Devotional Fasts and Bhajans
On that day, Krishna devotees do Nirjala Vrat. In this fast, devotees do not eat any food and also don’t drink water.

Midnight Magic (The Janmotsav)
When midnight comes, then birth of Krishna happened, which is called Janmotsav.
Then devotees pray and do bhakti.

Dahi Handi (Courage Meets Devotion)
In Maharashtra, which is part of North India, people celebrate Dahi Handi, which is inspired by little Krishna’s stealing makhan events.

Cultural Flavors Across India
In Uttar Pradesh, in Mathura and Vrindavan, Janmashtami is celebrated for 7–10 days, culminating in grand processions and temple events.
In Maharashtra, Dahi Handi celebrations with drums and chants.
In Gujarat, temples like Dwarkadhish see thousands of devotees witness the Krishna Janmotsav.
In South India, devotees decorate with kolam and prepare sweets like seedai and murukku for Krishna.
In Odisha and Bengal, temples read forms of the Gita Govinda, and do midnight prayers.

56 Bhog: The Ultimate Feast for the Lord
One of the most elaborate rituals is offering Chappan Bhog—56 types of food—to Krishna. Why 56?
When young Krishna used to eat 8 meals a day. After lifting Govardhan Hill for 7 days to protect his village from Indra’s wrath, then all villagers offered 8×7=56 items to thank Lord Krishna.

Items include:
Makhan Mishri,
Ladoo, Peda,
Sabudana Khichdi,
Panakam (jaggery drink),
Sweet rice, puri, kheer
After midnight, above bhog is offered as prasad to all.

Top Temples to Witness Janmashtami 2025

Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan

Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat

Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura

ISKCON Temples worldwide

Gokul Nath Ji Temple, Rajasthan

Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Karnataka

Above each temple will be live-streaming events to the lakhs of devotees.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Janmashtami on 15 or 16 August?

Janmashtami, which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, will be observed on August 16th this year. The festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada, which falls on August 16th this year.

What is the real date of Janmashtami 2025?

Krishna Janmashtami in 2025 will be celebrated on Friday, August 15th, with the Nishita Puja (midnight puja) occurring between 12:04 AM and 12:47 AM on Saturday, August 16th. The Ashtami Tithi, which is the eighth day of the waning phase of the lunar month, begins on August 15th at 11:49 PM and ends on August 16th at 9:34 PM.

Janmashtami 2025 Date, Muhurat & Puja Timings

Janmashtami in 2025 will be celebrated on Friday, August 15, with Nishita Puja timings from 12:04 A.M. to 12:47 A.M. on August 16. It is an auspicious occasion when devotees across the globe will gather to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, offering prayers, performing rituals, and celebrating the joyous occasion with family and friends.

When to keep fast on Janmashtami 2025?

Janmashtami, commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna, will be observed on August 16th, 2025. Devotees typically observe a fast on this day, which may begin at sunrise and conclude at midnight, coinciding with the Nishita Puja time (midnight hour).

Is Janmashtami a public holiday in India?

Yes, Janmashtami is generally observed as a public holiday in India, but whether it is a mandatory public holiday depends on the state and the type of organization (government or private).