ISKCON Newtown Kolkata announces the celebration of the auspicious Sri Sri Krishna Janmashtami Mahotsav 2026, a magnificent spiritual and cultural event honoring Lord Sri Krishna’s divine appearance and disseminating His timeless teachings of harmony, compassion, and sustainable living.

SRI SRI KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI FESTIVAL – SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME

2nd September

Adhivas and Harinam Sankirtan will mark the festive start of the auspicious Sri Krishna Janmashtami Mahotsav in the evening.

3rd September  

Spiritual events such as Japa, Guru Puja, Special Darshan, and Morning Mangala Arati will kick off the day. Additionally, there will be a special Srimad Bhagavatam talk in the morning.

In addition to Krishna Katha and other cultural events, the evening will feature musical performances, dance, and shloka recitations by Arohan.

4th September

Special cultural performances, Krishna Katha, and a prize distribution ceremony will take place in the evening.

Special Midnight Janmashtami Programme

The temple pujaris will perform a special Abhishek ceremony of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna on the Main Stage from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.

From 11:30 PM until midnight, a special Krishna Katha will take place.

A special Darshan will be held to commemorate the auspicious moment of Lord Sri Krishna’s divine appearance at precisely midnight. During this most holy and joyous occasion, devotees and guests will have the chance to see the lovely and divine form of the Lord.

The main spiritual celebrations of the Janmashtami Mahotsav will then come to a glorious conclusion with special Bhoga offered to the Lord, followed by auspicious Arati and Kirtan.

5th September

The day will be devoted to paying tribute to and remembering Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The programmes will include Pushpanjali, Kirtan, Srila Prabhupada Abhishek, Vyasa Puja offerings, and Guru Puja.

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE FOUR-DAY FESTIVAL

Devotees and gifted artists will showcase a wide range of devotional music, dance, shloka recitation, dramatic performances, and other cultural events over the course of the four-day celebration, honoring the timeless virtues of Lord Sri Krishna. The lavish distribution of sanctified prasadam to almost two lakh devotees, guests, and visitors over the course of the four days will be another unique highlight of the festival, transforming this holy occasion into a time of devotion, service, and spiritual unity.

THEME – PROTECT THE COW, PRESERVE THE VILLAGE, HEAL THE EARTH.

Through this theme, ISKCON Newtown Kolkata aims to draw attention to the applicability of Lord Krishna’s teachings and the Govardhan model of harmonious living, wherein agriculture, village-based communities, cow protection, and a respectful relationship with nature can all contribute to a more sustainable and healthy future for humanity.

Janmashtami is more than just commemorating a historical occasion. It is a chance to rediscover the timeless principles—compassion, harmony with nature, concern for all living things, and a life focused on spiritual values—embodied in the life and teachings of Lord Krishna.

ISKCON Newtown Kolkata aims to encourage people and families to consider a more sustainable and caring relationship with cows, villages, agriculture, nature, and each other through the Govardhan message and the celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami.

Priyanka Dutta