Ashtami Rohini 2025: South India gears up to celebrate Sri Krishna Jayanti; check key timings & significance

This year, devotees in South India will mark Ashtami Rohini 2025, also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti, on Sunday, September 14.

The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of Hinduism’s most beloved deities, and is observed with great devotion across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Karnataka.

Unlike most of India, where Krishna Janmashtami follows the lunar calendar, South Indian states celebrate according to the solar calendar.


This difference in timing sometimes leads to a gap of a few days—or even weeks—between celebrations in different regions.

Ashtami Rohini 2025: Key Timings (Thiruvananthapuram Local Time)

• Ashtami Tithi Begins: 5:04 AM, September 14
• Ashtami Tithi Ends: 3:06 AM, September 15

Celebrations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka

In Kerala, the festival is widely known as Ashtami Rohini. Devotees observe fasts, chant Krishna bhajans, visit temples, and offer prayers seeking Lord Krishna’s blessings for peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

Similar traditions are followed in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where the day is marked by devotional fervor and vibrant rituals.

Two temples stand out for their grandeur during this festival:

• Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Karnataka – Known for its elaborate ceremonies and large gatherings of devotees.
• Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, Kerala – A focal point of celebrations, drawing thousands of worshippers each year.

Beyond the festivities, Ashtami Rohini serves as a spiritual reminder of Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, inspiring devotees to embrace values of righteousness, devotion, and compassion.

As South India prepares for the festival, temples are decked in flowers, devotional songs fill the air, and devotees ready themselves for a day of reflection, prayer, and celebration.