In the Sanatan tradition, the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth does not end with Janmashtami. Devotees eagerly wait for the sixth day after his birth, known as Kanha Chathi Puja, a ritual observed with the same devotion and joy as his Janmashtami.
Homes and temples are beautifully decorated once again, bhajans and kirtans echo throughout the day, and worship continues from morning till evening as devotees honor the infant form of Lord Krishna with deep faith.
On this special day, devotees prepare a variety of
offerings, including rice, kadhi, panchamrit, and other delicacies. Fruits,
flowers, butter, mishri, tulsi leaves, and other sacred items are offered to
the deity as bhog. Kanha’s Chathi Puja is performed with great love, filled
with songs, prayers, and a sense of spiritual fulfillment.
The ritual of the sixth-day celebration for any newborn aligns with ancient customs. Just as families observe this for a human child, Krishna’s Chathi is celebrated on the sixth day after Janmashtami.
When it will be celebrated?
An expert in dharma explains that those who observed
Janmashtami on 15 August 2025 will celebrate Kanha’s Chathi on 21 August 2025.
Those who followed the Udaya Tithi and celebrated Janmashtami on 16 August 2025
will observe the Chathi on 22 August 2025. The timing of the puja varies
according to personal belief; some prefer the afternoon while others choose the
evening. The Abhijit Muhurat between 11:58 AM and 12:50 PM is considered
particularly auspicious for those conducting the ritual in the afternoon.
Before beginning the puja, devotees purify themselves and gather all the materials required. Just as a newborn child is bathed on their sixth day, Lord Krishna is first bathed with panchamrit and then with sacred Ganga water. After drying him with a clean cloth, he is dressed in new clothes and adorned with ornaments. Offerings such as sandalwood paste, saffron, turmeric, fruits, flowers, incense, and lamps are placed before him.
Devotees also present items especially dear to Kanha, such as a flute, butter-mishri, and a peacock feather. Afterward, he is lovingly addressed by the chosen name with which the devotee worships him throughout the year. The ritual concludes with aarti, the distribution of prasad among family and devotees, and the sharing of this blessed offering.
According to spiritual teachings, the worship of Chathi or Goddess Shashthi holds profound importance in Sanatan tradition. It is believed that she protects newborn children from harm and ensures their well-being. For this reason, just as devotees joyously celebrate Krishna’s birth, they also commemorate his Chathi every year with devotion and reverence, seeking divine blessings for protection and prosperity.
Kindly contact your pandit ji for getting more concrete information in this regard.
Tags: Krishna Chathi, Kanha Chathi, Janmashtami, bhajan, kirtan