Pattachitra painting of Jagannath, Raghurajpur, Odisha (artwork, not a murti photo)
Katha · Janmashtami

The birth of Sri Krishna

Raghurajpur, Odisha · Patrick.zip, CC0 1.0

Where it comes from

From the tradition

The Srimad Bhagavata Purana, tenth canto.

In brief

The midnight birth in the prison at Mathura, and Vasudeva carrying the child across the Yamuna to Gokul.

The birth is celebrated at midnight, then the fast ends

The full katha

Original text · meaning translated

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Coming dates

Vrat calendar
25AugKrishna JanmashtamiBirth of Lord Krishnain 329 days

25 August 2027 · Drik Panchang, DoPT O.M. 16 Jul 2026, holidays 2027

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Who is excused

By tradition the ill, the pregnant, elders and anyone on medication are excused from fasting. With diabetes or blood pressure, ask your doctor before a fast.