Krishna’s birth was marked by miracles, including sleeping prison guards, broken chains and open gates, allowing Vasudeva to take Krishna to safety.
Published: September 4, 2026, 8:20 AM IST
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Jagannath Temple
New Delhi: Owing to a special ritual on the occasion of Janmashtami, the Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed for five hours on FridayIt is believed that Lord Jagannath, assuming the role of a mother, will give birth to Sri KrishnaIn a statement issued by the temple authorities it is said that public darshan will remain suspended from 7 pm to 12 midnight on September 4On the eve of that, Lord Jagannath is offered ‘Jeuta Bhog’, a special medicinal food meant for reducing labour pain, according to an expert.
Lord Jagannath is considered the mother of all 10 ‘avtars’ of Lord Vishnu, including Sri Krishna, Sri Ram and Lord Balaram, according to a scholar“The Lord is offered Jeuta Bhog the night before Sri Ram Navami and also on the eve of JanmashtamiHe is worshipped as the Maha Vishnu, the Supreme Lord,” said Dr Bhaskar Mishra, a researcher in Shree Jagannath culture.
Mishra said the Jeuta Bhog is offered before the main doors of the temple are closed at night“A special aarti is also performed to Lord Jagannath after the offering of Jeuta Bhog, as He is pregnant with Sri Krishna,” said Pandit Suryanarayan Rathsharma, an authority in Jagannath culture.
“Lord Jagannath is Maha Vishnu and creator of all his avatarsHe is both male and female and worshipped as the origin of this universe from whom all take birth,” Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the titular king of Puri, saidTherefore, the birthdays of all 10 avatars are celebrated in the 12th-century shrine, he said.
“Krushna Janma Niti will be performed at Shree Jagannatha TempleAccordingly, public darshan will remain temporarily suspended from approximately 7 pm to 12 midnight,” a notice issued by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said.
While Janmashtami rituals will be observed at the shrine on September 4, the celebrations will continue the next day with Nandotsav, marking the beginning of the traditional Krishna Leela rituals.
Key Timings & Schedule
- Ashtami Tithi Begins: September 4, 2026, at 2:25 AM
- Ashtami Tithi Ends: September 5, 2026, at 12:13 AM
- Nishita Kaal Puja (Midnight Puja): 11:57 PM (September 4) to 12:43 AM (September 5)
- Dahi Handi / Nandotsav: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Parana (Breaking Fast): After sunrise on September 5, 2026 (typically after 6:02 AM)
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: The Birth Story Of Krishna
- Lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison cell in Mathura.
- King Kansa, who was Devaki’s brother, had imprisoned his parents
- He also killed their first six children because of a prophecy that the eighth child would be his downfall.
- Krishna’s birth was marked by miracles, including sleeping prison guards, broken chains and open gates, allowing Vasudeva to take Krishna to safety.
- Vasudeva carried Krishna across the raging River Yamuna to Gokul, where he was raised by Nanda and Yashoda.
