Krishna Janmashtami also called Gokul Ashtami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. According to the Panchanga or Hindu calendar, it falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Shravana. In the western Gregorian calendar, this is usually in the month of August or September. In 2025, Gokul Ashtami falls on 16th of August. It is observed as a holiday in many private and public organizations. Krishna Janmashtami is observed with great excitement all across the world. Various states in India as well as countries around the world celebrate this festival in different ways.

Krishna Janmashtami in 2025 will be celebrated on Friday, 15 August 2025. This holy day marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

·       Janmashtami Date: 15 August 2025 (Friday)

·       Nishita Puja Time (Midnight Puja): 12:03 AM to 12:47 AM (16 August)

·       Ashtami Tithi Begins: 15 August 2025 at 03:01 AM

·       Ashtami Tithi Ends: 16 August 2025 at 01:00 AM

·       Rohini Nakshatra Timing: Begins on 15 August at 04:35 PM and ends on 16 August at 05:30 PM

Devotees observe fasting and perform special puja during the Nishita Kaal, the midnight hour believed to be the exact birth time of Lord Krishna.

Describe Krishna Janmashtami Puja Vidhi

The festival is celebrated in the evening as Krishna was born at midnight amidst chaos. This evening marks the Avathar of Lord Vishnu /incarnation of God to put an end to the evil. Some people observe fast on this day and eat only after the midnight puja.

This festival's puja Vidhi is very important because Laddoo Gopal's birth is the focus of all preparations. You get the most out of this puja, by following a detailed puja Vidhi below: 

·       In the morning, take a bath and put on fresh clothing. 

·       Start the puja preparations at night by decorating Sri Krishna's palna, or cradle, and use Gangajal to clean the shrine. 

·       Observe dhyana to start the puja. Respectfully place the Lord Krishna idol on the palna. If you do not have a palna, you can also use a wooden chowki. 

·       Offering water to the feet of a deity is referred to as padya. Offer the Lord arghya. 

·       Perform achaman, which is the act of offering water to the Lord and then drinking it. 

·       To carry out the Lord's Snana ceremony, pour the idol with the Panchamrit's five ingredients: milk, curd, honey, ghee, and Ganga jal.  

·       Gather the five ingredients, then later prepare Panchamrit using them as prasad. 

·       Decorate the idol with new clothing and accessories which is called the deity’s Shringaar. 

·       Present the sacred Janeu to God. Then, apply Chandan paste on the deity. 

·       Adorn the idol with a crown, jewelry, mor pankh (Peacock feather fan), and bansuri (flute). 

·       Offer the deity flowers and Tulsi leaves and garlands. Light an incense stick and oil lamp. 

·       Offer Makhan and Mishree as the bhog to the Lord. Present the God with a Tambulam made of coconut, betel nuts, and   paan,

·       Sing Kunj Bihari's aarti to honor the Lord and then carry out a parikrama. 

·       Join your hands and ask the Lord to keep you and your family safe from all harm as you pray together. 

What is the Significance of Krishna Janmashtami 

According to Hindu scriptures, Sri Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in the city of Mathura on the Ashtami Tithi, or the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada. Kansa, the demon king of Mathura, was the brother of Devaki. A prophecy stated that Kansa would be killed by the eighth son of Devaki because of his sins. Kansa therefore put his own sister and her husband in prison. 

To prevent the prophecy from happening, he attempted to kill Devaki's children immediately after their birth. When Devaki gave birth to her eighth child, the whole palace was put into a deep sleep by magic. Vasudeva was able to protect the infant from Kansa's wrath by taking him during the night to Yashodha and Nanda's home in Vrindavan. This infant was a manifestation of Lord Vishnu who later took the name Sri Krishna and killed Kansa, ending his reign of terror. 

What Rituals Performed During Krishna Janmashtami 

The rituals performed on Krishna Janmashtami have a lot to do with why people of all ages love this festival. Here are some of the significant customs connected to this day: 

• On occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, devotees fast all day. The entire day is dedicated to remembering the Lord, and the fast concludes at midnight, which is thought to be the time of Lord Krishna's birth. 
• All day long, devotees chant the Lord's name, filling the air with their devotion and dedication. A lot of devotional songs are sung, particularly at Krishna temples. 
• Elaborate skits or dramas retelling Krishna's life story and his different Leelas are performed. Children dressed as Krishna and Radha and Gopis perform Raas Leela. 

• Because Makhan was so dear to Lord Krishna, it is an essential delicacy. To appease little Gopal, devotees offer sweets made with milk, dry fruits, sugar, and khoya. 
• To help us remember Krishna's teachings and the meaning of life, passages from the Bhagavad Gita are recited aloud. 

What Foods Offered to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami

During Janmashtami, devotees prepare and offered a variety of sweets and dairy-rich foods that are loved by Lord Krishna and later shared with others as prasadam. Popular Foods Offered:

Makhan (Butter) – Symbolizes Krishna’s childhood favorite.

Mishri (Rock Sugar) – Offered with butter as a simple and traditional treat.

Kheer – A rice pudding made with milk and dry fruits.

Peda and Ladoo – Traditional Indian sweets made from khoya or gram flour.

Panchamrit – A holy mix of milk, honey, ghee, curd, and sugar.

Fruits and Dry Fruits – Offered fresh and in sweets.

|