What is Sri Krishna Janmashtami?
Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna, who came into this world at midnight on the eighth day after the full moon. In 2027 devotees observe it on Wednesday, 25 August.
Significance
Krishna is the beginningless Supreme Person. He is not a soul pushed into a body by the reactions of past actions; He comes in His own eternal form. Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.3 describes how the stars, the directions, the rivers and the breeze all grew peaceful as the hour of His coming drew near. Speaking to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the Lord revealed what one gains by understanding His appearance:
One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.
Bhagavad-gita 4.9
How to observe it
Devotees fast until midnight, the hour when the Lord appeared. They fill the day with kirtan, chanting on beads and hearing the account of His appearance from the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The midnight worship of the Deity is the high point of the festival, and at home the Deity may be offered new clothes and a feast of many courses. The next day, 26 August, is Nandotsava.
Read more: Sri Krishna Janmashtami: The Divine Birth of Lord Krishna
Questions
When is Krishna Janmashtami in 2027?
Krishna Janmashtami falls on Wednesday, 25 August 2027. Devotees celebrate Lord Krishna's appearance at midnight on Ashtami, the eighth day after the full moon.
What does Janmashtami celebrate?
Janmashtami celebrates the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna in this world. As He explains in the Bhagavad-gita, He appears in His original eternal form to reestablish religious principles, deliver His devotees and annihilate the wicked.
Why do devotees fast until midnight on Janmashtami?
Devotees fast until midnight because Lord Krishna appeared at that hour. They spend the day chanting and hearing about His appearance, and the fast ends after the midnight worship.
Did Krishna come into this world like an ordinary person?
No. Krishna is the beginningless Supreme Person, and karma does not force Him into one material body after another. He appears in His same spiritual form whenever and wherever He likes.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Wednesday, 25 August 2027
- Fasting
- Until midnight
- Hour of appearance
- Midnight
- Lunar day
- Ashtami, the eighth day after the full moon
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.