Janmashtami is the eighth night of the dark half of Shravan, and Gujarat, where Krishna reigned at Dwarka, makes a week of it. The day before is Shitala Satam, when no stove is lit and food cooked on Randhan Chhath is eaten cold. Then comes the fast and the midnight birth. Across Saurashtra, Satam-Atham means the lok melo: five days of fairground in every town, the largest at Rajkot.
The story
Krishna left Mathura and built his capital at Dwarka on the western sea. There he is Dwarkadhish, the king, and at Dakor he is Ranchhodrai, "he who left the battlefield", the name he earned by that retreat.
The Dwarka temple's flag, fifty-two yards of cloth, is changed several times a day by families who wait years for the turn.
જય રણછોડ, માખણચોર!
Victory to Ranchhod, the butter thief!
The cry at Dakor and Dwarka
How the days go
- Randhan ChhathTwo days before, the food for Satam is cooked.
- Shitala SatamThe hearth is left cold for the goddess Shitala; only yesterday's food is eaten.
- AthamA fast until midnight, then the birth, with the cradle and panjiri.
- Matki phodPots of curd are broken by human pyramids.
- Lok meloFairs with rides, food and handicrafts across Saurashtra.
Why this date
Janmashtami is the Ashtami of the dark half of Shravan by the Gujarati calendar, on the day it covers midnight.
Janmashtami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Sunday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Tuesday | |
| 2031 | Saturday |
More Gujarati festivals
17 AugustRaksha Bandhanરક્ષાબંધન
3 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiગણેશ ચતુર્થી
18 JulyGuru Purnimaગુરુ પૂર્ણિમા
7 OctoberNavratri and Athamનવરાત્રી · આઠમ
14 JulyDevpodhi Agiyarasદેવપોઢી અગિયારસ
8 OctoberNavratri Nomનોમ · મહા નવમી
Where to see Janmashtami
In Gujarat
- Dwarkadhish Temple, DwarkaGujaratThe Jagat Mandir, one of the four dhams; the birth is celebrated at midnight before a vast crowd.
- Ranchhodraiji Temple, DakorGujaratThe Krishna most loved by Gujaratis.
- Racecourse ground, RajkotGujaratThe Lok Melo, Saurashtra's largest fair.
- Bet DwarkaGujaratThe island held to be Krishna's residence, reached by a new sea bridge.
Across India
- MathuraUttar PradeshThe birthplace, which Krishna left for Dwarka.
- NathdwaraRajasthanShrinathji is saluted with cannon at midnight.
- MumbaiMaharashtraDahi Handi and its human towers.