Krishna Janmashtami 2026 will be observed on Friday, 4 September, but the midnight puja will continue till early hours of 5 September. Due to the overlap, many are confused about whether Janmashtami will be observed on September 4 or 5.The answer lies in the Panchang. Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi begins at 02:25 AM on Sep 04. Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi ends at 12:13 AM on Sep 05. Rohini Nakshatra begins at 12:29 AM on 4th September and ends at 11:04 PM on the same day. Both important conditions therefore persist through much of 4 September.
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: September 4 or 5?
The main Janmashtami vrat and festival will be on 4 September 2026.Nishita Kaal refers to the midnight hour when Lord Krishna is traditionally worshipped. In many Indian cities, the puja window stretches into September 5, as midnight is near the change of calendar date.This does not move the festival itself to the 5th of September. As per Panchang, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on Friday, 4th September, while Dahi Handi will be observed on Saturday, 5th September.
Nishita Puja Muhurat 2026
Nishita Puja timings differ from city to city.The Janmashtami Nishita Puja Muhurat timings in New Delhi are from 11:57 PM on 4th September to 12:43 AM on 5th September.For Noida, the worship will be done from 11:57 PM to 12:42 AM.Other important city times are:Mumbai: 12:14 AM to 1:01 AMBengaluru: 11:55 PM to 12:42 AMHyderabad: 11:52 PM to 12:38 AMChennai: 11:45 PM to 12:31 AMKolkata: 11:13 PM to 11:59 PM
Why Are Ashtami and Rohini Important?
According to Hindu tradition, Lord Krishna was born at midnight on Krishna Paksha Ashtami, under Rohini Nakshatra.This combination is particularly interesting in 2026 because Ashtami and Rohini coincide for most of the festival day. Rohini ends just before midnight, and Ashtami lasts a little past midnight.Devotees may fast all day, decorate Laddu Gopal, perform bhajan and kirtan, prepare bhog, and perform Krishna Janma rituals.
Janmashtami 2026 Parana Time
Different families may have different rules about fasting.In the modern practice, devotees may even do the Parana after the Nishita Puja has been completed. In Noida, this means after 12:42 AM on 5 September.In more stringent practices of Dharma Shastra, Parana is performed after sunrise, when both Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra are over. According to a North Indian Panchang calculation, this falls after about 6:05 AM on the 5th of September, though the local sunrise should be checked for the specific city.So the confusion about the date arises because the midnight worship service straddles the calendar day.