Janmashtami 2025 Date and Tithi Time for India, USA
Posted on August 6, 2025
Janmashtami 2025 Date and Tithi Time for India
- Date: Saturday, August 16.
- Ashtami Tithi Begins – 11:49 PM on August 15.
- Ashtami Tithi Ends – 09:34 PM on August 16.
Janmashtami 2025 Date and Tithi Time for USA
- Date: Saturday, August 16.
- Ashtami Tithi Begins – 02:19 PM on August 15.
- Ashtami Tithi Ends – 12:04 PM on August 16.
Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is a joyous Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It usually falls in the months of August or September, on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.
The Significance of Janmashtami
Lord Krishna is one of the most revered and loved deities in Hindu mythology. He is known for his divine playfulness, wisdom, and teachings in the Bhagavad Gita. His birth is considered a divine event, as he came into the world to restore dharma (righteousness) and protect the good from evil.
Krishna was born in Mathura in a prison cell to Devaki and Vasudeva. His life story, especially his childhood mischiefs and heroic deeds, is remembered and celebrated with great enthusiasm during Janmashtami.
How Janmashtami is Celebrated
Janmashtami is celebrated across India with a variety of customs and rituals:
Fasting and Night Vigil: Devotees observe fasts and stay awake until midnight — the believed time of Krishna’s birth — offering prayers, singing devotional songs, and reading scriptures.
Jhulan and Cradle Ceremony: Baby Krishna idols are placed in cradles and gently rocked, symbolising his birth. Homes and temples are beautifully decorated for the occasion.
Dahi Handi: In states like Maharashtra, the festival is marked with the fun-filled Dahi Handi event. Young boys form human pyramids to break pots filled with curd, symbolizing Krishna’s love for butter and his mischievous attempts to steal it.
Rasa Lila and Dance Dramas: In places like Vrindavan and Mathura, traditional dance dramas known as Rasa Lila are performed, depicting scenes from Krishna’s life, especially his childhood and youthful interactions with Radha and the Gopis.
Special Food Preparations: Devotees prepare various sweets and snacks like panjiri, butter, and milk-based items, which are believed to be Lord Krishna’s favourites.
Cultural and Spiritual Importance
Janmashtami is not just a celebration of a birth, but a reminder of Krishna’s teachings — to live a life of righteousness, devotion, and courage. His messages from the Bhagavad Gita continue to inspire millions across generations.