Janmashtami

Sri Krishna (Bhagavan Vasudeva — Supreme Personality of Godhead)

Gaudiya Vaishnava

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Janmashtami — the midnight appearance of Lord Sri Krishna in Mathura on Bhadra Krishna Ashtami. Gaudiya Vaishnava maths and temples worldwide stay open all night with kirtan, drama, midnight abhishek, and a grand prasadam feast.

Dates 2026–2027

September 4, 2026August 25, 2027

Mantra

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Maha-mantra

O Hare! O Krishna! O Rama! — calling on the Supreme Lord at the auspicious midnight hour of His appearance in Mathura.

How to recite

Chant continuously through the day and night; complete 16 rounds before midnight; at midnight perform abhishek of Sri Krishna with panchamrit (milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar) and break the grain-free fast with a grand prasadam feast.

Benefits

Lord Krishna declared in the Gita that one who knows His transcendental birth and activities does not take birth again. Fasting on Janmashtami with devotion bestows extraordinary spiritual merit and pure devotion (suddha-bhakti).

✦ Special Note

Observe a complete grain-free fast until midnight. The fast breaks at midnight with 'Jaya Janmashtami! Hare Krishna!' and a full prasadam feast. The following day (Nandotsava) celebrates Nanda Maharaj's joy at Krishna's birth. The Gaudiya calendar occasionally differs from the standard Hindu Panchang by one day — confirm with your math.

Foods Allowed

Fruits of all kindsMilk, yogurt, ghee, butter, paneerDry fruits and nutsCoconut and coconut waterRock salt (sendha namak)Full prasadam feast after midnight abhishek

Foods to Avoid

All grains — fast is grain-free until midnightOnion and garlicMeat, fish, eggsAlcohol and intoxicantsAny food not offered to Sri Krishna first

Meal Idea

Fruits, milk and dry fruits through the day; at midnight after the abhishek — panchamrit, fresh kheer, sweets, and a full prasadam feast offered to baby Krishna.

🪔 Aarti

Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki

आरती कुंज बिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥ गले में बैजंती माला, बजावे मुरली मधुर बाला । श्रवण में कुण्डल झलकाला, नंद के आनंद नंदलाला ॥ गगन सम अंग कांति काली, राधिका चमक रही आली । लतन में ठाढ़े बनमाली, भ्रमर सी अलक, कस्तूरी तिलक, चंद्र सी झलक, ललित छवि श्यामा प्यारी की ॥ कनकमय मोर मुकुट बिलसे, देवता दरसन को तरसे । गगन सों सुमन राशि बरसे, बाजे मुरचंग, मधुर मृदंग, ग्वालिन संग, अतुल रति गोप कुमारी की ॥ जहां ते प्रगट भई गंगा, कलुष कली हारिणि श्री गंगा । स्मरण ते होत मोह भंगा, बसी शिव सीस, जटा के बीच, हरे अघ कीच, चरण छवि श्री बनवारी की ॥ चमकती उज्ज्वल तट रेणु, बज रही वृंदावन बेणु । चहुं दिसि गोपी ग्वाल धेनु, हंसत मृदु मंद, चांदनी चंद, कटत भव फंद, टेर सुन दीन भिखारी की ॥

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