The grand celebration of Krishna Janmashtami 2025, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is just around the corner. As with many Hindu festivals, the precise date and time of celebration often leads to confusion. This year is no different, as devotees are unsure whether to observe the festival on August 15 or 16.

According to Hindu Panchang (calendar) and religious traditions, Janmashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Bhadrapada month. It marks the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, born to Devaki and Vasudev during the Dwapar Yuga. In 2025, this will be Krishna's 5,252nd birth anniversary.

📅 Krishna Janmashtami 2025: Official Date and Holiday

• Festival Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025

• Public Holiday: Likely on August 16 as per the Tithi-based calculation

• Dahi Handi Celebration: Also on August 16, following Janmashtami night

As per Drik Panchang, the Ashtami Tithi begins at 11:49 PM on August 15 and ends at 9:34 PM on August 16. Since most Krishna Janmashtami rituals are performed during Nishita Kaal (midnight), the actual celebration aligns with the midnight of August 16.

🌙 Janmashtami Nishita Puja Muhurat

• Start: 12:04 AM, August 16

• End: 12:47 AM, August 16

• Duration: 43 minutes

This time window is considered most auspicious to perform Krishna Puja, offer prayers, and enact Krishna Janma scenes (Krishna Leela) at temples and homes.

🕉️ Other Key Astrological Details

• Ashtami Tithi Begins: August 15 at 11:49 PM

• Ashtami Tithi Ends: August 16 at 9:34 PM

• Rohini Nakshatra Begins: August 17 at 4:38 AM

• Rohini Nakshatra Ends: August 18 at 3:17 AM

While Rohini Nakshatra, considered highly auspicious for Krishna worship, falls slightly after the Ashtami ends, the Janmashtami celebration remains aligned with August 16, following traditional practices and religious guidance.

🍽️ Parana Timing (Breaking the Fast)

According to scriptures, devotees who fast on Janmashtami should break their fast (Parana) on August 16, at the following times:

• Traditional Parana Time: 5:51 AM

• Alternate Modern Timing: 12:47 AM (after Nishita Puja)

Parana rituals often vary based on regional customs, but both timings are considered acceptable depending on one’s observance level.

🕰️ City-Wise Janmashtami Nishita Puja Timings

Here are the exact Puja timings across major Indian cities:

Devotees are advised to follow their local city time for Nishita Puja and observe fast-breaking accordingly.

Significance of Janmashtami

Janmashtami is not just a religious event—it's a cultural celebration of devotion, righteousness, and divine joy. Devotees across the globe celebrate the night with bhajans, kirtans, Krishna leelas, fasting, and Midnight Abhishekam of Baby Krishna idols.

Temples are adorned with lights and flowers, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan, the sacred lands associated with Lord Krishna’s life. Celebrations include Dahi Handi, where teams recreate Krishna’s childhood mischief of stealing butter.

Final Note

To conclude, Krishna Janmashtami 2025 will be celebrated on August 16, with all key rituals, pujas, and fasts aligned to this date. Devotees should prepare in advance for midnight celebrations and observe fast-breaking during the advised Parana times. Whether you're celebrating at home or at a temple, this Janmashtami offers a divine opportunity to reconnect with love, dharma, and devotion.