Janmashtami 2027 Date & Nishita Puja Time: 25 August
Krishna Janmashtami 2027 is on Wednesday, 25 August 2027. In New Delhi the Nishita (midnight) puja is from 12:01 AM to 12:45 AM on 26 August, with the midnight moment at 12:23 AM. Drik Panchang lists a single date for 2027, so Smarta and Vaishnava followers observe Janmashtami on the same day. Dahi Handi is on Thursday, 26 August.
| Janmashtami | Wednesday, 25 August 2027 |
| Nishita puja (New Delhi) | 12:01 AM to 12:45 AM, 26 August |
| Midnight moment | 12:23 AM, 26 August |
| Ashtami tithi | 8:24 PM, 24 Aug to 7:19 PM, 25 Aug 2027 |
| Rohini nakshatra | 12:27 PM, 25 Aug to 11:42 AM, 26 Aug 2027 |
| Dahi Handi | Thursday, 26 August 2027 |
When to break the Janmashtami fast (parana)
| Rule | Parana time (New Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Dharma Shastra (after Ashtami and Rohini end) | after 11:42 AM, 26 August |
| Alternative (after sunrise) | after 5:56 AM, 26 August |
| Common modern practice (after Nishita puja) | after 12:45 AM, 26 August |
What is Krishna Janmashtami?
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, at midnight on the Ashtami of the dark half of Bhadrapada, under the Rohini nakshatra. According to the Bhagavata Purana, he was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in King Kamsa’s prison in Mathura, and Vasudeva carried the newborn across the Yamuna to Gokul, where he was raised by Yashoda and Nanda.
How Janmashtami is celebrated
- Fasting: many devotees fast until midnight; some keep nirjala or phalahar fasts.
- Midnight janmotsav: the image of Bal Gopal (Laddu Gopal) is bathed with panchamrit, dressed and placed in a decorated cradle (jhula) at midnight, with bells, conch and bhajans.
- Offerings: makhan-mishri, panjiri, panchamrit and 56 dishes (chhappan bhog) in temples.
- Jhankis: tableaux of Krishna’s life in homes and temples.
- Mathura and Vrindavan: the largest celebrations, especially at Krishna Janmabhoomi and Banke Bihari temple.
- Dahi Handi: in Maharashtra, teams of govindas form human pyramids to break a pot of curd hung high, recreating Krishna’s butter-stealing.
Frequently asked questions
When is Janmashtami 2027?
Wednesday, 25 August 2027, with the midnight puja in the early hours of 26 August.
Is there a separate ISKCON Janmashtami date in 2027?
Drik Panchang lists one date for 2027, 25 August, for both Smarta and Vaishnava traditions. Check with your local ISKCON temple for its schedule.
When is Dahi Handi 2027?
Thursday, 26 August 2027.
