Across India, the auspicious festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated with immense devotion and fervor on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The day marked the 5252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Temples throughout the country were thronged with devotees offering prayers and seeking blessings. The celebrations included the chanting of mantras, singing of bhajans, and the performance of sacred rituals that commenced in the early morning hours.
Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and Vrindavan, where he spent his childhood, held special significance, with temples adorned with flowers and crystal chandeliers. The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura witnessed a vibrant Mangala Aarti early in the morning. Idols of Lord Krishna were decorated with colorful clothes and jewelry.
In Noida, grand celebrations were organized at the ISKCON Temple in Sector 32, where the premises resonated with kirtans and devotional offerings. The Prem Pratik Temple in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, hosted a Mangala Aarti, while the historic Govind Dev Ji Temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan, saw a large turnout of devotees. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also offered prayers at the ISKCON temple in East of Kailash.
A special ritual was performed at midnight, where the idol of Lord Krishna was bathed in milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and water. During the Krishna Abhishek, bells were rung, conch shells were blown, and Vedic hymns were chanted. After the bhog, prasad was distributed to the devotees, many of whom had waited for hours for Krishna darshan and puja.
The traditional Dahi Handi festival was also celebrated in several regions, particularly in Maharashtra, where it is known as Gopalakala or Utlotsavam. This event involves teams of young men and women forming human pyramids to break an earthen pot filled with butter, curd, or milk, symbolizing Krishna's love for butter and promoting teamwork. Dahi Handi was celebrated on August 16, 2025.
According to drikpanchang.com, Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated on Saturday, August 16, 2025, with devotees observing the auspicious Nishita Puja (midnight worship) from 11:58 PM to 12:43 AM. The Parana (fast-breaking) time was after 09:34 PM on August 16. The divine moment of midnight fell at 12:21 AM, while moonrise occurred at 11:02 PM on Krishna Dashami.
President Droupadi Murmu extended warm greetings on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, calling it a festival filled with joy and enthusiasm. She noted that the life and teachings of Lord Krishna inspire people towards self-development and self-realization, urging everyone to follow his teachings and make society and the nation stronger.
Janmashtami was observed on both August 15 and 16 in 2025 due to differences in sectarian traditions and the alignment of tithis (lunar dates). Smarta Sampradaya celebrated Janmashtami on August 15, aligning the festival with the Rohini Nakshatra, while Vaishnava Sampradaya celebrated on August 16, following the Udaya Tithi (sunrise timing).
