Janmashtami
Shrinathji / Balamukundan — Krishna as the divine child who lifted Govardhan
Pushti MargGet a reminder before the next Janmashtami
At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.
Remind meDates shown for India (default). Enable JavaScript to set a reminder for your location.
Janmashtami is the supreme celebration of the Pushti Marg year — the appearance of Krishna himself, who is Shrinathji. Devotees fast until midnight, then celebrate with elaborate seva: bathing the svarupa, dressing it in new clothes, and offering the Chappan Bhog (56 food items). The next day, Nandotsav, celebrates the joy of Nanda Maharaj — a day of festivity, prasad distribution, and communal rejoicing
Dates 2026–2027
Mantra
Shri Krishnah Sharanam Mama
The Pushti Marg Ashtakshara — eight words of complete surrender
Shri Krishna alone is my shelter and refuge
How to recite
Fast completely (or on fruits and water) from sunrise until midnight. At the midnight hour, celebrate the birth of Krishna with devotional kirtan, the Janmashtami seva, and abhishek (bathing the svarupa). Prepare the Chappan Bhog — 56 food items — and offer them to Shrinathji. Receive one item as prasad. The next day, Nandotsav (Nanda's joy), is a day of pure celebration — no fasting.
Benefits
Janmashtami is the most sacred day in the Pushti Marg calendar. Shrinathji embodies the child Krishna at the moment of lifting Govardhan with his little finger — Balamukundan. The Chappan Bhog offered at midnight represents complete, abundant nourishment of the divine child with 56 varieties of food and drink.
✦ Special Note
In Pushti Marg havelis, Janmashtami night is the most spectacular of the year. Shrinathji's svarupa is dressed in a midnight-blue pitambar and jewels. The Chappan Bhog is prepared in 56 separate offerings. At the midnight birth moment, bells ring, conch shells blow, and devotees sing 'Aaj Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki'. The next morning is Nandotsav — pure celebration, no fasting. Nandotsav (Sat Sep 5, 2026 / Thu Aug 26, 2027). Dates per the Utsav Tippani published by Nathdwara Mandir Seva Mandal on pushtimarg.net (pushtimarg.net/new-updates/utsav-tippani/).
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
Meal Idea
A fruit-and-dairy fast through the day — fresh fruit with mishri, panchamrit, and cool buttermilk. At midnight, break the fast with Gopalkala (beaten rice, yogurt, and cucumber, or fresh butter and mishri) received from the Chappan Bhog offering to Shrinathji
🪔 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 ॥
Related vrats
Prioritising the same tradition and category, with related tradition or family entries when fewer than six exist.
- Annakut & Govardhan Puja — November 9, 2026Same tradition
- Chandan Yatra (Akshay Tritiya — Shrinathji Chandan Seva) — April 19, 2026Same tradition
- Damodar Maas (Kartik Diya-Seva for Shrinathji) — October 26, 2026Same tradition
- Ekadashi — January 14, 2026Same tradition
- Hindola Utsav — July 30, 2026Same tradition
- Holi Dahan & Dol Utsav (Phalgun Purnima — Pushti Marg) — March 3, 2026Same tradition
Get a reminder before the next Janmashtami
At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.
Remind meDates shown for India (default). Enable JavaScript to set a reminder for your location.
Track this vrat in the app
Personalised timings, reminders, and fasting guides for your tradition.
Open VRAT App →