Janmashtami 2026: When Will The Festival Be Celebrated In Mathura? Know The Date And Timings

New Delhi: The auspicious festival of Janmashtami will be celebrated on September 4 this year. The festival will be celebrated with great enthusiasm in Mathura, which is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The festival is celebrated in a grand way in Mathura at midnight.

What is the history of Janmashtami?

In the bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar, Janmashtami is celebrated in India. It is traditionally believed to be the date of birth of Lord Krishna. Generally, on this day, people worship Lord Krishna in his child form. As soon as the day begins, people start to celebrate this festival. According to Hindu holy texts, it is said that Krishna was born in the fifth month and on the 8th day of the Hindu calendar, i.e., (it is referred to as Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami). 

On Janmashtami, devotees fast for Krishna from morning to night. The celebration includes the decoration of Krishna in his child form. Devotees feed him butter, which, according to ancient texts, is his favourite dish. Devotees also prepare 56 bhog for Krishna, which includes all the dishes he used to like in his childhood.

When will Janmashtami be celebrated in Mathura?

The festival is celebrated in a grand way in Mathura at midnight. This year, the propitious time for Janmashtami celebration in Mathura is between 11:56 PM and 12:41 AM. Within this time frame, feeding, celebration and abhishek of Lord Krishna are performed. The midnight time is not just an auspicious moment, according to the Hindu priest, but is the time said to mark the birth of Krishna. 

Is Rohini Nakshatra coinciding with Janmashtami? 

This year, Rohini Nakshatra is coinciding with Janmashtami, and according to ancient stories, it is related to Krishna's childhood. The original time of Rohini Nakshatra on September 4 is up to 11:04 PM, and for Ashtami the time is up to 12:13 AM. That is the main reason for the coincidence of Janmashtami and Ashtami  

When to break the fast on Janmashtami?

According to the ritual, devotees are supposed to break the fast on September 5 at 6 AM, but due to regional diversity in India, people often break the fast according to their regional auspicious times. On this date, children and adults all celebrate Dahi Handi to represent the young life of mischievous Krishna. In this festival, kids climb around, helping each other to break a pot filled with curd and butter inside it.