Krishna
Krishna Janmashtami
The midnight birth of Krishna
Krishna is said to have been born at midnight, in a prison, in the rain. Devotees keep vigil until that hour — fasting, singing, and waiting. It is one of the few festivals whose observance is essentially nocturnal, which makes it a natural night for long, unhurried chanting.
Add Krishna Janmashtami to calendar (downloads an .ics file)
A recommended mantra for this sacred day
The verse remembers Krishna as the newborn himself — the infant asleep on a banyan leaf — and its two unbroken hours are made for the vigil that ends at midnight.
Read the Sanskrit and meaning on the Kararavindena Padaravindam — Bala Mukunda Verse page, or explore the full mantra library.
Date shown for New Delhi, India. Observance can differ by location because tithi, sunrise and timezone affect the applicable date — please confirm local temple or pañcāṅga timings if precise observance times matter to your practice.