Janmashtami 2026: Date, Timing, Muhurat

Janmashtami is a significant Hindu festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

In 2026, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on Friday, September 4, 2026. Traditionally, the main worship takes place at midnight during the Nishita Kaal, the time associated with Lord Krishna's birth.

Krishna Janmashtami 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, September 4, 2026. The precise timing for the puja may vary by city, as calculations in the Panchang are based on local sunrise, sunset, and midnight timings.

For New Delhi, the main Nishita Puja Muhurat will begin late at night on September 4 and continue until shortly after midnight on September 5.

Sometimes, the date September 5th might appear on calendars or in online searches because certain rituals and fasting rules associated with Nishita Puja extend beyond midnight. However, according to the 2026 panchang, the main Janmashtami celebration will take place on Friday, September 4th.

According to tradition, Lord Krishna was born at midnight; therefore, the main worship of Janmashtami is performed during the 'Nishita Kaal'. The Shrimad Bhagavatam describes Krishna's birth as occurring during the darkest part of the night.

The account of Krishna's birth in the third chapter of the Tenth Canto of the Shrimad Bhagavatam states that the Lord appeared before Devaki at "Nishithe," which signifies the final or darkest phase of the night. The text likens His appearance to that of the full moon rising in the eastern sky. Due to this traditional belief, the Janmashtami celebrations include special midnight prayers and the traditional observance of Krishna's birth.