Janmashtami 2025 — also known as Gokulashtami in Maharashtra and Sri Krishna Jayanthi in South India — marks the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. In 2025, devotees will celebrate the 5252nd birth anniversary of Shri Krishna on Saturday, 16th August 2025, with great devotion and joy.
This sacred festival is observed with fasting, devotional singing, temple decorations, and the reenactment of Krishna’s childhood pastimes.
Janmashtami 2025 Date and Puja Muhurat
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Janmashtami Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025
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Ashtami Tithi Starts: 15 August 2025 at 11:49 PM
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Ashtami Tithi Ends: 16 August 2025 at 09:34 PM
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Rohini Nakshatra Begins: 17 August 2025 at 4:38 AM
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Nishita Puja Time: 12:04 AM to 12:45 AM (midnight of 16th–17th August)
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Moonrise Time: 11:32 PM (16th August)
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Midnight Moment: 12:25 AM, 17 August
Significance of Janmashtami (Gokulashtami / Sri Krishna Jayanthi)
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna in Mathura, and later, he played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata while delivering the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. Moreover, devotees believe that by observing a fast and chanting Krishna’s name on this day, they can wash away sins and invite blessings of happiness, prosperity, and spiritual wisdom.
In Maharashtra, people call the festival Gokulashtami, and it stands out for the vibrant Dahi Handi celebrations, which symbolize Krishna’s playful act of stealing butter. Furthermore, in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, the festival is known as Sri Krishna Jayanthi, where devotees decorate their homes with colorful kolams (rangoli) and place tiny footprints of Krishna from the entrance to the puja room, symbolizing his divine arrival.
Janmashtami 2025 Rituals and Traditions
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Fasting & Devotion – Most devotees observe a day-long fast, breaking it only after midnight puja.
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Midnight Puja – Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight; temples perform abhishek with milk, curd, honey, and ghee.
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Chanting & Bhajans – Continuous chanting of “Hare Krishna” and devotional songs fill temples and homes.
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Decorating Krishna Idols – Idols of Laddu Gopal are adorned with new clothes, jewelry, and flowers.
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Offering Prasad – Special sweets like panjiri, makhan-mishri, and peda are offered to Krishna, always garnished with Tulsi leaves.
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Dahi Handi Celebrations – In Maharashtra, human pyramids try to break a pot filled with curd, symbolizing Krishna’s playful spirit.
Do’s and Don’ts for Janmashtami Puja 2025
Do’s:
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Wear yellow clothes for auspiciousness.
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Offer prasad with Tulsi leaves.
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Chant Krishna mantras with devotion.
Don’ts:
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Avoid onion, garlic, meat, or alcohol.
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Don’t take the fasting pledge during Rahukaal.
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Avoid black clothes during puja.
Key Takeaways
- Also known as Gokulashtami and Sri Krishna Jayanthi.
- Falls on 16th August 2025.
- Nishita Puja: 12:04 AM – 12:45 AM.
- Celebrated with fasting, bhajans, idol decorations, and Dahi Handi.
FAQs
Q. When is Gokulashtami in 2025?
People will celebrate Gokulashtami on Saturday, 16th August 2025.
Q. Is Sri Krishna Jayanthi the same as Janmashtami?
Yes, both terms describe the birth of Lord Krishna, although people observe them with regional variations.
Q. Can we break the fast before midnight?
No, devotees traditionally break the fast only after performing the midnight puja.
Q. What is the significance of Dahi Handi in Gokulashtami?
The Dahi Handi event recreates Krishna’s playful childhood pastime of stealing butter with his friends.