Krishna Janmashtmi 2025: Why Devotees Fast All Night; Sankalpana, Mantra Chantings & Other Rituals

The sacred festival of Krishna Janmashtami-also called Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, and Sree Jayanthi-honors the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. In 2025, the celebrations will mark the 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna with grand festivities, devotional music, and night-long pujas across India.

This year, as per Drik Panchang, Janmashtami will be observed on August 15 and 16, with August 16 declared as the gazetted holiday.

Janmashtami 2025 date, tithi & nishita puja timings

Ashtami Tithi Begins: 11:49 PM, August 15

Ashtami Tithi Ends: 09:34 PM, August 16

Nishita Puja Time: 12:04 AM – 12:47 AM (August 16)

Parana Time (Breaking Fast): After 9:34 PM on August 16 as per Dharma Shastra

The Nishita Kaal-the midnight period according to Vedic time-is considered the divine moment of Krishna’s birth. Devotees offer special prayers, sing bhajans, and perform aarti during this time.

Spiritual significance of fasting on Janmashtami

Fasting during Janmashtami is not merely a ritual but a symbolic act of devotion aimed at connecting with the divine energy of Lord Krishna. According to scriptures, it purifies the mind and body, detaches one from material pleasures, and elevates spiritual consciousness.

The tradition is rooted in ancient texts such as the Mahabharata, where Maharaj Parikshit, Bhishma Dev, and others observed fasts in the final days of their lives to seek spiritual liberation (moksha).

Types of Janmashtami fasts

Devotees usually eat a light, sattvic meal a day before Janmashtami and fast until the following day when both Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi end.

Nirjala fast (Without water)

1. The most rigorous form, where devotees abstain from both food and water throughout the day.

2. The fast is broken at midnight after performing puja, offering prasad, and singing hymns in Lord Krishna’s honor.

Phalahar fast (Fruits & milk diet)

1. Suitable for those unable to follow Nirjala fasting.

2. Allows consumption of fruits, milk, water, and certain sattvic foods.

3. Grains, legumes, onions, garlic, and spicy or processed foods are avoided.

Fasting rules and sankalpa

The fast begins with a Sankalpa-a vow to dedicate the day in devotion to Lord Krishna. As per Drik Panchang, all rules of Ekadashi fasting apply to Janmashtami as well:

1. No consumption of grains until the fast is broken.

2. Meals should follow a sattvic (pure) diet.

3. Puja rituals, chanting of mantras, and reading of the Bhagavad Gita are encouraged.

For devotees, Janmashtami is not only about fasting and rituals but also about embracing Krishna’s teachings of love, righteousness, and detachment as mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita. The festival is a reminder to lead a life guided by dharma, compassion, and devotion.

Published on: Thursday, August 14, 2025, 12:03 PM IST