Janmashtami 2016: Auspicious time for celebrating the festival begins on August 24

Janmashtami is celebrated with fervour across India. In 2016, Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 25. This year the festival will be very special as aligns with Rohini nakshtra, making the birth of Krishna this year even more auspicious.

The ‘shubh muhurat’ for the festival will begin at 10:17 pm on August 24 and will continue till 8:08 pm on August 25. The devotees can offer prayers during this duration.

The coinciding of Rohini nakshtra and Ashtami has made the festival of Janmashtami extra special as the prayers offered are likely to yield more fruitful results.

The birth of Lord Krishna will be celebrated by devotees at the midnight on August 25.

Right time to offer prayers

According to Pandit Divaker Sharma, Benaras, the ashatmi begins at 10:17 pm on August 24 but August 25 is the right day to observe the fast.

This year, due to Rohini nakshtra, the best time to observe ‘nishita puja’ is between midnight, ie, 12:00 am to 12:45am.   

Devotees observing fast can take Prasad at midnight, however the time of ‘paran’ is not until 10:52am on August 26. But those who do not believe in ‘paran’ can go ahead and break their fasts by 12:45am.