Janmashtami Vrat — Date, Vidhi & Timing

Significance

Birth of Lord Krishna; midnight puja with cradle ceremony and bhajan.

Niyam (rules)

1. Fast until midnight or until Krishna birth ceremony as per tradition.
2. Avoid grains in strict upvas; fruit and milk are commonly permitted.
3. Keep the home sattvic and devotional through the day.

Vidhi (how to observe)

1. Decorate Krishna altar with flowers, peacock feathers, and butter-mishri bhog.
2. Fast through the day; read Bhagavad Gita or Krishna leela katha.
3. At midnight, perform abhishek of Bal Gopal, swing the jhula, and offer panchamrit.
4. Break fast after midnight aarti with charanamrit and prasad.