Why does Janmashtami show on two different days?

Because the strongest form of the observance needs both Ashtami tithi and Rohini nakshatra, and they don't always fall on the same day. Smarta tradition generally goes by the Ashtami; Vaishnava tradition waits for Rohini. When they diverge you get two dates, and both are correct within their own tradition. Follow your family's temple.

Why is Janmashtami on a different day in Kerala?

Because Kerala fixes it to Rohini nakshatra, the star Krishna was born under, rather than to the Ashtami tithi that the rest of India uses. When the two don't line up, Kerala's date differs, and both are following a genuine part of the birth account. Guruvayur is the main temple for it.

Masik Krishna Janmashtami

Next date

3 October 2026

Saturday · Krishna Ashtami

Tithi begins08:00 AM

Tithi ends05:52 AM · 4 Oct

Puja Muhurat12:03 AM - 12:51 AM, Oct 4

About

Monthly fasting on Krishna Ashtami, dedicated to Lord Krishna. The annual celebration is Krishna Janmashtami in Bhadrapada.

Deity: Lord Krishna
Observed on: Krishna Ashtami
Frequency: Monthly

The story

Kansa, told that his sister Devaki's eighth child would kill him, imprisoned her. Krishna was born at midnight in that cell; the guards slept, the chains fell, and Vasudeva carried him across a swollen Yamuna to Gokul.

How it is observed

Fasting until midnight, then aarti, a cradle rocked with the infant Krishna, and the fast broken. Bhagavata recitation, jhankis of Krishna's life, and Dahi Handi the next day in Maharashtra.

Food

Fasting food through the day. At midnight, panjiri, makhan-mishri, charnamrit, and 56 items, chhappan bhog, in temples.

Regional variation

Mathura and Vrindavan are the centre. Maharashtra adds Dahi Handi. In Kerala it is Ashtami Rohini, with uriyadi and Guruvayur at the centre. In Tamil Nadu, kolam footprints of the infant Krishna are drawn from the door inward.

Common questions

Why does Janmashtami show on two different days?: Because the strongest form of the observance needs both Ashtami tithi and Rohini nakshatra, and they don't always fall on the same day. Smarta tradition generally goes by the Ashtami; Vaishnava tradition waits for Rohini. When they diverge you get two dates, and both are correct within their own tradition. Follow your family's temple.
Why is Janmashtami on a different day in Kerala?: Because Kerala fixes it to Rohini nakshatra, the star Krishna was born under, rather than to the Ashtami tithi that the rest of India uses. When the two don't line up, Kerala's date differs, and both are following a genuine part of the birth account. Guruvayur is the main temple for it.