Janmashtami is a day when the whole world seems to remember what genuine joy feels like. It is the birthday of Krishna, the playful, clever, sometimes impossible little boy who grew up to be one of the most beloved gods. He is a symbol of love, courage, and everything that makes life feel a little brighter. Different places call the festival by different names: Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, but it is all about the same thing: remembering Krishna, the boy from Mathura who could charm anyone and everyone. Some celebrations are big and loud, others are peaceful and quiet. Mathura, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam, and Manipur make elaborate arrangements and decorations to celebrate this special day. Not just in India, but Krishna devotees around the world celebrate Krishna’s birth with bhajnas, sweets, and chanting. So, let us delve into the magic, rituals, and joy of Janmashtami and see what makes this celebration truly special.

Timing and Date for Janmashtami 2025 

Festival Date: August 15, 2025

Dahi Handi: August 16, 2025

Nishita Puja (Midnight worship): 11:54 pm to 12:40 am on Aug 16 

Midnight Moment (Krishna’s Birth): 12:17 pm on Aug 16

Ashtami Tithi: Begins: 11:49 pm on Aug 15 and ends at 9:34 pm on Aug 16

Parana (Breaking the Fast): After 9:34 pm on Aug 16

Rituals to follow on Janmashtami

Janmashtami is all about preparing for that special midnight moment when Krishna was born. Homes and temples come alive with fresh flowers, bright lights, and beautiful rangoli designs. Throughout the day, devotees follow these main rituals as they build up to the midnight celebration:

• A sankalp is taken, a vow to fast and honour Krishna.

• The day is spent singing bhajans, reading the Bhagavad Gita, and avoiding grains.

• At midnight, Krishna’s birth is celebrated with butter, milk, fruits, and sweets.

• A decorated swing for the Bal Gopal is rocked gently while devotional songs are sung.

• Mantras like Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra are chanted to lift the spirit.

The midnight moment

The real magic happens at midnight. That is when Krishna is said to be born, slipping quietly into the world like a tiny child carrying secrets of life. Devotees begin the celebrations by sitting quietly, meditating on Krishna, imagining him in yellow clothes, with a gentle smile, holding his conch. Flowers are placed at his feet, the idol is bathed with milk and panchamrit, and fresh clothes and tiny ornaments are offered. Each offering is a small act of love, a silent prayer, saying, ‘I remember you, Krishna.’

At the heart of the ritual comes the Naal Chedan, the cucumber-cutting. A cucumber is carefully cut with a coin, the stem representing Krishna’s umbilical cord, and a small idol is revealed, as if the newborn has just emerged from Devaki’s womb. The air fills with bhajans, incense, and whispered prayers. Fruits, sweets, butter, and kheer are offered as Naivedya, later distributed as prasad. The little swing is rocked gently, and every chant, every gesture, every beat of the heart feels connected to the divine. During this hour, you feel that Krishna is not far, that somehow, for a little while, the world itself is a little lighter, brighter, and your heart is a little closer to him.

Janmashtami fasting made simple

Fasting on Janmashtami is a beautiful way of slowing down and tuning in with the divine. It is a complete spiritual reset that prepares your heart for a deeper connection with Krishna. Ancient philosophy tells us fasting is about surrender and devotion, learning to control your senses and focus on something sacred. This purification cleanses mind, body, and soul, bringing mental peace, detoxification, and increased spiritual stamina. While worship remains the core, fasting enhances devotion and mirrors Krishna’s teachings of selflessness. Here are some fasting basics that will help you get through Janmashtami without losing your easily:

• No grains or cereals until the fast is opened

• You can consume fruits, milk, and vrat-friendly sweet and savoury dishes.

• Open the fast only after Ashtami Tithi ends (or follow your local tradition).

• If you cannot observe a full fast, a partial fast with devotion still counts.

Dahi Handi: How Krishna brings communities together

The next day, the celebration spills out into the streets, full of noise, laughter, and excitement. A pot of curd or butter is hung up high, and teams of people work together, climbing and balancing in human pyramids to reach it. Everyone cheers, claps, and sometimes tumbles in the chaos, but it is all part of the fun. Dahi Handi is done to celebrate Krishna’s love for butter as a child and to remember his playful, mischievous spirit. It is a burst of community energy, a little reminder that devotion can be playful and joyful. Watching or taking part, you can’t help but feel like you’re part of something bigger, something that makes the whole day sparkle a little brighter.

Quick tips for devotees

• Decorate early: Flowers, lights, rangoli. Even a small setup makes the day feel festive.

• Plan your fasting: Know your food and timings. Stay hydrated.

• Join community events: Dahi Handi or temple celebrations bring people together and make the celebrations more fun.

• Pause at midnight: Light a lamp, sing, or meditate for a moment of connection.

Radha Ashtami 2025

Just when your heart is still glowing from Krishna’s birthday, something beautiful happens. 15 days after Janmashtami, we celebrate the one person who loved him most. Radha Ashtami falls on August 31 this year, honouring Goddess Radha, Krishna’s eternal beloved, the soul who knew him completely. On this day, devotees fast until noon, and they offer flowers, fruits and sweets to Radha-Krishna idols. They also chant prayers like the Radha Sahasranama or Radha Ashtakam, words that have carried the weight of devotion for centuries. Radha is not just Krishna’s companion; she is the embodiment of what it means to love without holding back. She represents that part of us that seeks connection so deep it transforms everything. When we celebrate her, we are celebrating the courage it takes to love completely, to dedicate ourselves to something beyond the ordinary world.

Celebrate Krishna’s birth with devotion, let Agastyaa guide you every step of the way