Saturday, August 16, 2025 — Across India and around the globe, devotees are celebrating Krishna Janmashtami, marking the 5252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The day is being observed with a mix of devotion, joy, and grand festivities, from temple rituals to cultural celebrations.
This year, the festival spans two days because of differences in sect traditions and lunar calendar timings. The Ashtami Tithi began late on August 15 and concluded the evening of August 16, with the sacred midnight hour observed as the moment of Krishna’s divine birth. Temples and homes alike came alive with chants, music, and decorated cradles symbolizing the arrival of Bal Gopal.
Mathura and Vrindavan, the heartlands of Krishna’s life, drew massive crowds for darshan and midnight aarti. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, Dahi Handi competitions filled the streets with excitement as teams of youths formed human pyramids to reach and break clay pots filled with curd, symbolizing Krishna’s playful spirit. ISKCON temples worldwide held continuous kirtans, discourses, and distribution of prasad, while many also streamed celebrations live for global devotees.
For millions, Janmashtami is not just about rituals but about embracing Krishna’s message of love, truth, compassion, and justice. Families observed fasts, sang bhajans, offered sweets and fruits, and gathered for special midnight prayers. The mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” resonated across temples and homes, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.
This year’s celebrations were marked by special highlights in Mathura-Vrindavan, where thousands joined the spectacular Mangala Aarti, while ISKCON centers across India and abroad united devotees through both in-person and virtual gatherings.
August 16 was also declared a gazetted holiday in many states, giving people the chance to immerse fully in the devotion and festivities. From village temples to city centers, the air was filled with the sound of bhajans, the fragrance of flowers, and the spirit of celebration.
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 stands as a reminder of timeless faith and joy—a day to remember not just the divine birth of Krishna, but the values of love, dharma, and devotion he represents. Jai Shri Krishna!
