Krishna Janmashtami 2025: Date, auspicious puja time, city-wise schedules and rituals for devotees

Krishna Janmashtami 2025 will be celebrated with devotion and joy on Friday, 15 August 2025 across India. According to the Hindu Panchang, this sacred festival marks the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura. This year will mark the 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.

Important Dates and Timings for Janmashtami 2025

• Krishna Janmashtami – Friday, 15 August 2025
• ISKCON Janmashtami – Saturday, 16 August 2025
• Dahi Handi – Saturday, 16 August 2025
• Nishita Puja Muhurat – 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM on 16 August (43 minutes)
• Midnight Moment (Krishna’s Birth Time) – 12:26 AM, 16 August
• Moonrise (Chandrodaya) – 10:46 PM on Krishna Dashami
• Krishna Ashtami Tithi Begins – 11:49 PM, 15 August
• Krishna Ashtami Tithi Ends – 9:34 PM, 16 August
• Parana (Breaking the Fast) – After 5:51 AM, 16 August, post Deva Puja and Visarjan

City-wise Nishita Puja Timings

For devotees in different parts of the country, the auspicious Nishita Puja hours vary slightly:

• Pune – 12:17 AM to 1:02 AM
• New Delhi – 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM
• Chennai – 11:51 PM (15 Aug) to 12:36 AM (16 Aug)
• Jaipur – 12:10 AM to 12:53 AM
• Hyderabad – 11:58 PM to 12:43 AM
• Gurgaon – 12:05 AM to 12:48 AM
• Chandigarh – 12:06 AM to 12:49 AM
• Kolkata – 11:19 PM (16 Aug) to 12:03 AM (17 Aug)
• Mumbai – 12:20 AM to 1:05 AM
• Bengaluru – 12:01 AM to 12:47 AM
• Ahmedabad – 12:22 AM to 1:06 AM
• Noida – 12:03 AM to 12:47 AM

The Nishita Puja is believed to be the precise moment of Krishna’s divine birth, making it the most sacred time to perform Janmashtami rituals.

Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Rituals and Puja Vidhi

Devotees mark the occasion with unwavering devotion, often observing a day-long fast and performing elaborate rituals:

• Purification of the Puja Area – The day begins with cleaning the house and decorating the puja space with flowers, rangoli, and a cradle for baby Krishna.
• Bathing the Idol – An idol or image of Bal Gopal is bathed in panchamrit, a sacred mix of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar.
• Adorning the Deity – The idol is dressed in fresh clothes, adorned with jewellery, and placed in the cradle.
• Offering to Krishna – Devotees present tulsi leaves, butter, fruits, and sweets such as panjiri and laddoos.
• Lighting Lamps and Incense – The fragrance of incense and the glow of diyas create a divine atmosphere.
• Midnight Celebrations – The Nishita Puja at midnight is accompanied by melodious bhajans and kirtans, marking Krishna’s birth moment with the swinging of the decorated cradle.

Dahi Handi and ISKCON Celebrations

On Saturday, 16 August 2025, streets will come alive with Dahi Handi festivities. Groups of participants form towering human pyramids to break pots filled with curd, recreating Krishna’s playful childhood mischief.

ISKCON temples across the country will also celebrate Janmashtami on the same day, with devotional songs, dance dramas, and cultural programmes, attracting thousands of devotees.

Inputs from agencies