Janmashtami 2025 will be celebrated on 15th and 16th August this year. Lord Krishna is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, known for his charm, playfulness, and wit. It’s a chance for communities to get together and celebrate. The air is filled with the sound of ringing bells and the chants of Hare Krishna from devotees. It’s a cheerful and upbeat celebration that you should experience at least once in your life.
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Muhurata
Janmashtami is a 2-day festival, where the first day is celebrated by everyone, and the second day is reserved for individuals belonging to Vaishnav communities.
This year, the Ashtami tithi will begin on 15th August 2025, at 11:50 PM and end on 16th August 2025, at 09:35 PM.
Janmashtami 2025 Rituals
Many rituals are followed on this day, and you can observe people belonging to different communities follow slightly different variations of these rituals. Various traditions are followed in each state. While the main pooja/offerings for Janmashtami start at midnight, the preparations and celebrations last the whole day. Rituals associated with the festival of Janmashtami are:
Decorating Your Home
Start by cleaning your house and prayer area, then decorate it with flowers and colorful rangolis. You can also draw small footprints with rice flour, from your house entrance to the pooja room, A symbol of Lord Krishna’s arrival.
Setting up a Cradle
You can also set up a small cradle and decorate it with flowers, beads, and lights. And set up backdrops with images of Krishna’s childhood. Because, as a child, Lord Krishna loved sitting on a jhula.
Reenactment of Krishna’s Childhood
This festival is a beautiful blend of both community celebrations and devotion towards Krishna. Various plays and events are organised, depicting tales from Lord Krishna’s childhood. Devotional songs and prayers are sung in praise of Lord Krishna. Traditional dance performances are organised.
Midnight Puja
Many devotees fast all day and break their fast only after the midnight rituals. At midnight, bathe the idol of Krishna with panchamrit (a mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar) and then dress it in new clothes and jewelry. Offer bhog (food) like butter, sweets, and panjiri. Finally, perform an aarti and gently swing the cradle.
Dahi Handi
This tradition is especially associated with the region of Maharashtra. Dahi handi competitions are organised for the youth, where they make human vastu pyramids by climbing on top of each other. And break pots filled with dahi, mishri, and makhan that are hung from a certain height. This practice is a fun way to remember Lord Krishna’s childhood, as he was known for playfully stealing butter from pots.
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Krishna Janmashtami 2025- Fasting Significance and Guidelines
You may observe a ‘nirjal’ (without water) or ‘phalahar’ (only fruits) fast on this day. It’s beneficial to observe a fast, to purify our mind and body to connect with the divine energy of Lord Krishna. Here are some of the most common guidelines to follow if you are observing the Janmashtami fast:
- The fast start at midnight or early in the morning on Janmashtami.
- Grains, lentils, onions, or garlic should not be consumed.
- Sattvic foods like fresh fruits, milk, and yogurt can be consumed.
- Herbal teas or coconut water can be consumed for hydration.
- Alcohol and meat are to be strictly avoided on this day, even if you are not observing a fast.
Alongside observing a physical fast, avoid getting involved in gossip and using excessive social media.
The Miraculous Birth of Krishna
The story of Lord Krishna’s birth is symbolic and holds a divine lesson. When Lord Krishna’s parents, Devaki and Vasudeva, were getting married, there was a divine prophecy. Their 8th child would kill Devaki’s brother, Kansa. Afraid of the prophecy, Kansa locked them in prison and killed their first seven children.
Surprisingly, on the day Krishna was born, the prison guards fell into a deep sleep, and the chains tying them automatically broke. There was again a divine prophecy that instructed Vasudeva to carry newborn Krishna across the Yamuna River to Gokul village. Following the instructions, Vasudeva exchanged Krishna with a baby girl and returned to the prison.
As Kansa attempted to kill the child, the girl turned into the powerful Goddess Yogmaya. She warned Kansa that his end was inevitable and vanished into the sky.
Janmashtami 2025 is a festival with deep spiritual significance. It’s a celebration of Krishna’s teachings and philosophy. Generally, Krishna is associated with being a saviour of good people. As long as your intent is pure and innocent, he is very easily pleased by his devotees. His stories inspire us all to not take life very seriously, but rather surrender to the divine will, and enjoy life.
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FAQs
Q1. For how long is the Janmashtami fast observed?
Generally, the fast is observed from sunrise to sunset. While some may prefer to observe the fast till midnight. And only consume food after the midnight puja.
Q2. What foods can I use to break my fast after Janmashtami?
The prasad offered to Lord Krishna can be used for breaking the fast. These are usually fruits and milk-based sweets.
Q3. Why is Janmashtami 2025 celebrated?
Janmashtami is celebrated to honour Lord Krishna’s birth and his childhood. His life holds important lessons that we all could learn from. His teachings are universal and can even be applied in the modern world.
Q4. Why is Janmashtami pooja performed at midnight?
It is believed that Lord Krishna was born at midnight. And each event leading to his birth was miraculous. Performing the puja at midnight is symbolic of celebrating this divine moment.
Q5. Can women keep a fast on Janmashtami 2025?
Yes, both men and women can observe a fast on Krishna Janmashtami 2025. It is a symbol of devotion towards Krishna and a way to ask for his blessings.