Is Krishna Janmashtami on September 3 or 4? Check date and puja muhurat
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 falls on September 4. Here is the correct Janmashtami date, Ashtami tithi, Nishita Kaal, puja muhurat and other key timings devotees need to know.
If you have been wondering whether Krishna Janmashtami 2026 falls on September 3 or September 4, the answer is September 4. The festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna will be observed on Friday, September 4, this year. The confusion over the date comes from the timing of the Ashtami tithi, which begins before the main celebration and continues into the early hours of September 5. Devotees traditionally observe the fast and perform the main Janmashtami puja around midnight, known as Nishita Kaal, when Krishna's birth is celebrated.
JANMASHTAMI DATE 2026: SEPTEMBER 3 OR 4?
Janmashtami 2026 will be celebrated on September 4, Friday. According to the Panchang, the Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi begins at 2:25 am on September 4 and ends at 12:13 am on September 5.
The Rohini Nakshatra begins at 12:29 am on September 4 and ends at 11:04 pm the same day. Since the festival is associated with Krishna's birth during the midnight period, September 4 is the date observed for Janmashtami.
JANMASHTAMI 2026 PUJA MUHURAT
The most important period for Krishna Janmashtami puja is Nishita Kaal. For New Delhi, the Nishita Puja time is approximately 11:57 pm on September 4 to 12:43 am on September 5. Timings can vary slightly depending on the city. For Noida, the listed window is around 11:57 pm to 12:42 am.
Devotees generally use this midnight period to bathe and dress the idol of Laddu Gopal, offer bhog, perform aarti and celebrate Krishna's birth.
JANMASHTAMI FASTING AND PARANA
Many devotees observe a fast through the day and continue with prayers until the midnight celebration. The timing for breaking the fast, or parana, can vary according to tradition.
As per Dharma Shastra-based timings, the fast can be broken after sunrise on September 5, once the relevant tithi and Nakshatra conditions are over. Some traditions allow parana after the Nishita Puja.
The following day, September 5, is also associated with Dahi Handi celebrations in many places.
HOW IS KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI CELEBRATED?
On Janmashtami, devotees decorate temples and homes, observe fasts and worship Lord Krishna. At midnight, many devotees perform the birth celebration of Krishna with an idol of Laddu Gopal.
Bhajans, kirtans, aarti and offerings are also part of the celebrations. In places associated with Krishna, particularly Mathura and Vrindavan, the festival is marked by special religious programmes and large gatherings.