Krishna Janmashtami 2026: Friday, 4 September 2026

Panchang on 4 September 2026

The day's own panchang readings — the nakshatra and tithi that define the date — computed for Delhi by the engine:

Full day — all five limbs, avoid-windows and choghadiya: Delhi panchang for 4 September 2026 →

Shubh muhurat windows

The festival's own muhurat is nishita kaal (midnight) — not the midday window. The Abhijit Muhurat above serves daytime observances; the exact midnight abhishekam span for your city is computed in the Bela app.

The Abhijit Muhurat is the midday window most digests treat as universally auspicious — Wednesdays excepted (what it is and why). Windows are computed for Delhi; your city's exact span shifts with local sunrise — check the city panchang or the Bela app.

What does Krishna Janmashtami celebrate?

Krishna Janmashtami marks the birth of Shri Krishna at midnight in Mathura's prison cell, on the eighth tithi of the dark half. Devotees fast till the midnight abhishekam of the infant Krishna, then rock the cradle, sing bhajans and break the fast; the next day brings dahi-handi.

The story and significance of Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna was born at nishita kaal — deep midnight — under Rohini nakshatra, so Janmashtami is fixed by the Ashtami tithi prevailing at midnight. Smarta and Vaishnava traditions sometimes split a day apart on that criterion.

The night is kept in vigil: the abhishekam at midnight, panchamrit and butter offered to Bal Gopal, and the fast broken after. In Maharashtra the following day's dahi-handi recreates the butter-thief with human pyramids.

Krishna Janmashtami dates by year