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Janmashtami

Sri Krishna (Bhagavan Vasudeva — Supreme Personality of Godhead)

ISKCON / Gaudiya Vaishnava

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Janmashtami celebrates the midnight appearance of Lord Sri Krishna — the Supreme Personality of Godhead — in Mathura on Bhadra Krishna Ashtami. ISKCON temples worldwide stay open all night with kirtan, drama, abhishek at midnight, and a grand prasadam feast to welcome the Lord

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

How to recite

Chant continuously throughout the day and night. At midnight, perform abhishek of Krishna's deity and sing the maha-mantra in jubilation. ISKCON temples celebrate with an all-night kirtan and Bhagavatam reading. Complete all 16 rounds before midnight.

Benefits

Lord Krishna declared in the Bhagavad Gita that one who knows his transcendental birth and activities does not take birth again after leaving the body but comes to his eternal abode. Fasting on Janmashtami with devotion bestows extraordinary spiritual merit.

✦ Special Note

ISKCON Janmashtami: 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. Note: ISKCON's Vaishnava calendar occasionally places Janmashtami one day after the standard Hindu Panchang — always confirm with your local temple.

Foods Allowed

Fruits of all kinds throughout the dayMilk and dairy — milk, yogurt, ghee, butter, paneerDry fruits and nuts — cashews, almonds, raisinsCoconut and coconut waterRock salt (sendha namak)Full prasadam feast after midnight abhishek — all foods permitted

Foods to Avoid

All grains — fast is grain-free until midnightOnion and garlic — never used in ISKCON prasadamMeat, fish, eggsAlcohol and intoxicantsAny food not offered to Sri Krishna first

Meal Idea

Fast on fruits, milk, and dry fruits throughout the day. At midnight after the abhishek, break the fast with a full prasadam feast — panchamrit, fruits, sweets, and kheer 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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