Krishna Janmashtami across India
Janmashtami, Krishna's birth at midnight on Ashtami of the dark half, is kept with night vigils everywhere, and with very different public customs from region to region.
How the date is fixed
The same night is Shravana Krishna Ashtami in Amanta calendars and Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami in Purnimanta ones. The site shows the Smarta rule (Ashtami at midnight); Vaishnava communities may keep the next day by the sunrise-Ashtami and Rohini rules.
These rules are the ones this site's engine uses; the dates are for the selected place.
Krishna Janmashtami — 24/08/2027 (Tue)
- In the Amanta system (months end at the new moon) this is Shravana Krishna Paksha Ashtami; in the Purnimanta system used in most of North India (months end at the full moon) the same day is called Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Ashtami.
- Smarta rule: Ashtami at Nishita (midnight) on one night gives that day; on both nights, the night on which Rohini is also at Nishita (Jayanti), otherwise the second; on neither night, the second. The Vaishnava (ISKCON) date is calculated beside it: Ashtami at sunrise, never joined with Saptami; with Ashtami at two sunrises, Rohini decides (at sunrise, then at midnight), then a Monday or a Wednesday. The tradition setting of your calculation profile decides which date is listed first.
- In a year with an Adhik month of the same name, it is observed in the regular (Nija) month.
Smarta and Vaishnava (ISKCON) dates are both calculated; the tradition setting of your calculation profile (the one that orders Ekadashi) decides which is listed first. When they differ, the Vaishnava day is usually the next one (Ashtami at sunrise), as in the Government of India list, which gives both.
Region by region
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Janmashtami in Braj
Mathura and Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh)
The largest celebrations, with decorated temples, night vigils and Raslila dance-dramas of Krishna's life.
Next date at your place: 24/08/2027 (Tue) · How the date is fixed
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Gokulashtami and Dahi Handi
Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune)
Teams form human pyramids to break pots of curd or buttermilk hung high, re-enacting the butter-stealing child Krishna.
Next date at your place: 24/08/2027 (Tue) · How the date is fixed
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Janmashtami in Dwarka
Gujarat and Rajasthan
Dwarka holds Makhan Handi; garba and raas dances accompany temple visits and devotional songs, including those of Mirabai.
Next date at your place: 24/08/2027 (Tue) · How the date is fixed
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Gokulashtami / Krishna Jayanthi
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
In Tamil Nadu small footprints are drawn from the door to the prayer room for the child Krishna; in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana boys dress up as Krishna and visit neighbours.
Next date at your place: 24/08/2027 (Tue) · How the date is fixed
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Janmashtami in the east
Assam, Odisha, West Bengal
Recitation of the Bhagavata Purana and dances such as Sattriya and Raas Leela.
Next date at your place: 24/08/2027 (Tue) · How the date is fixed
Customs differ between families, communities and places; this guide describes what the cited sources report, not a single correct practice.