Janmashtami Muhurat 2026: This year, the festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country on Friday, September 4. Along with celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth, there is also a tradition of observing a fast on this day. Those observing the Janmashtami fast must adhere to certain rules. During the worship rituals on Janmashtami, *Laddu Gopal* (the infant form of Krishna) is offered his favourite foods. Devotees worship Lord Krishna in his child form and celebrate his birth at midnight.
According to religious belief, Lord Krishna was born at midnight during Rohini Nakshatra on Ashtami (the eighth day) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the Bhadrapada month. Consequently, Ashtami, Rohini Nakshatra, and the midnight worship Muhurat (auspicious time) hold special significance on Janmashtami. Hindu beliefs hold that offering Bhog (ritual food offering) to Lord Krishna during worship brings auspicious results to devotees. Let us find out which offerings (Prasad) to present on Janmashtami.
Krishna Janmashtami Bhog Items
Offering of Makhan
During Janmashtami worship, you should definitely offer Makhan and Mishri to Laddu Gopal. Makhan is so dear to Laddu Gopal* that one of his names is Makhan-chor (Butter Thief). Offering Makhan and Mishri to Shri Krishna can bring happiness and peace into your life.
Dhaniya Panjiri
Offering *Dhaniya Panjiri* during the worship of Lord Krishna is also considered highly auspicious. To make *Dhaniya Panjiri*, roast ground dried coriander seeds in ghee and mix in dry fruits, *makhana* (fox nuts), and sugar. Along with offering it as Bhog, distributing it as *Prasad* is also considered auspicious.
Offering of Makhana Kheer
Offer Makhana Kheer during the worship of Lord Krishna. You can add milk, dry fruits, saffron, etc., to the Makhana Kheer. According to religious beliefs, offering Makhana Kheer to Laddu Gopal at midnight on Janmashtami can lead to financial prosperity.
Offering of Panchamrit
Offer Panchamrit to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami. You can also perform abhishek (ritual bathing) of Laddu Gopal using Panchamrit. Prepare Panchamrit by mixing milk, ghee, curd, honey, and sugar; you may also add a few Tulsi (holy basil) leaves.
Panchmewa Bhog
On the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, you can also offer *Panchmewa* (a mixture of five types of dry fruits) as *bhog* (sacred offering).
When will the Krishna Janmotsav take place in Mathura?
The Janmashtami festival is celebrated with great grandeur in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Here, the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth takes place at midnight.
According to the almanack (*Panchang*) for Mathura, the auspicious time for Nishith Puja (midnight worship) is from 11:56 PM to 12:41 AM. During this period, abhishek and aarti marking Lord Krishna’s birth will be performed.
What can be eaten during the fast?
If you are observing a Phalahar fast (a fast allowing fruits and specific permissible foods), you may consume seasonal fruits. Additionally, curd, buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta), and sago (sabudana) are permissible. Use honey, jaggery, and ghee when preparing food for the fast, and use rock salt (sendha namak) instead of regular table salt.
Things to avoid during the fast
One should not consume grains during the Janmashtami fast. According to tradition, vegetables such as bottle gourd (*lauki*), radish, carrot, and beetroot should also be avoided on this day. Furthermore, those observing the fast must abstain from garlic, onions, non-vegetarian food, and alcohol.
In which vessel should the bhog be offered?
Use copper or silver vessels to offer bhog during the holy festival of Krishna Janmashtami.