New Delhi: Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated across India with plenty of colour, devotion and festive energy, marking the birth of Lord Krishna. On the occasion, devotees worship Krishna in his child form, decorate temples and homes, prepare special offerings and set up elaborate tableaux featuring Laddu Gopal.
According to religious beliefs, Lord Krishna was born at midnight on Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, under Rohini Nakshatra. Special celebrations are held at prominent Krishna temples, where the deity is dressed and adorned for the occasion and offered 56 varieties of bhog. Here is when Janmashtami will be observed in 2026, along with the puja timings, worship method and bhog options.
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 date and tithi
According to the Panchang, the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada will begin at 2:25 AM on September 4, 2026, and end at 12:13 AM on September 5.
Based on these timings, the birth celebration of Lord Krishna, or Krishna Janmashtami, will be observed on September 4, 2026.
Krishna Janmashtami 2026 puja muhurat
The key timings for Krishna Janmashtami are:
- Rohini Nakshatra begins: 12:29 AM on September 4, 2026
- Rohini Nakshatra ends: 11:04 PM on September 4, 2026
- Midnight moment: 12:37 AM on September 5
- Nishita Puja time: 12:14 AM to 1:01 AM on September 5
Since Lord Krishna is traditionally believed to have been born at midnight, worshipping Laddu Gopal during the Nishita period is considered especially significant.
How to perform Krishna Janmashtami puja
- The puja begins with the abhishek of Bal Gopal.
- Devotees can bathe the deity using clean water, milk, curd, honey, Ganga water and Panchamrit.
- After the abhishek, Laddu Gopal is dressed in new clothes and adorned with jewellery.
- Apply a sandalwood tilak and offer flowers before lighting incense and a diya.
- The puja is then followed by Krishna ji’s aarti and the offering of bhog, including makhan-mishri and other preparations.
- Tulsi is considered an essential part of Krishna worship, so Tulsi leaves should also be kept with the puja and offered with the bhog.
What to offer Laddu Gopal on Janmashtami
A range of traditional offerings can be prepared for Bal Gopal on Krishna Janmashtami. These include:
- Makhan-mishri
- Panchamrit
- Kheer
- Curd
- Cucumber
- Banana
- Panjiri
