Is Janmashtami 2026 A National Holiday? Check State-Wise Holiday List

Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is just a few days away. Devotees across India are gearing up to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, with immense devotion and enthusiasm.

The auspicious festival is marked by fasting, temple visits, special prayers and rituals. Devotees also participate in devotional singing, decorate temples and homes, and organise traditional celebrations to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna.

According to the Hindu calendar, Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha, the dark fortnight, in the month of Bhadrapada. This year, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on September 4, 2026.

As the festival approaches, one common question is whether Janmashtami is a national holiday in India.

Is Janmashtami 2026 A National Holiday?

No, Krishna Janmashtami is not a national holiday in India.

India has three national holidays observed across the country: Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti.

Janmashtami, however, is included in holiday calendars in several states and Union Territories. Depending on the state and local government calendar, it may be observed as a gazetted holiday or restricted holiday.

Janmashtami 2026: State-Wise Holiday List

Under the Central Government holiday calendar, Janmashtami is listed as a gazetted holiday for central government offices in the following states and Union Territories

Janmashtami is listed as a gazetted holiday in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi, and Lakshadweep.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Puducherry and Ladakh list Janmashtami as a restricted holiday under the Central Government holiday calendar.

Janmashtami 2026: Date And Muhurat Timings

According to Drik Panchang, the most sacred part of the celebration, Nishita Puja will begin at 11:57 p.m. on September 4 and end at 12:43 a.m. on September 5.

The Ashtami Tithi will prevail from 02:25 a.m. on September 4 to 12:13 a.m. on September 5, as per Drik Panchang. The Dahi Handi celebration will be held on the next day, i.e., September 5.

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iPhone 18 Pro Launch: 10 Biggest Upgrades Expected Ahead Of Apple's Sept 9 Event

Apple is preparing for one of its biggest product events of the year, with the company scheduled to host its launch event on Sept. 9. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are widely expected to be among the new devices unveiled at the event.

Apple has not yet confirmed the specifications of its upcoming iPhones. However, leaks and reports from publications including MacRumors, Macworld and Tom's Guide have pointed to several possible changes.

A20 Pro Chip

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip. According to MacRumors, the chip could be manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process, moving beyond the 3nm technology used for the current A19 Pro.

ALSO READ | iPhone 18 Pro Max: Five Upgrades That Could Make iPhone 17 Pro Max Users Switch

Bigger Battery

Battery life could be one of the more noticeable improvements in the iPhone 18 Pro series. MacRumors has reported that leaked information points to a battery capacity of 5,391mAh for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

For comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to have a battery capacity of around 4,200mAh to 4,300mAh, according to leaked specifications compiled by 91mobiles. None of these figures has been officially confirmed.

6.3-Inch Display

The iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to get a major increase in screen size. MacRumors reports that the Pro model could retain a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max is expected to continue with a 6.9-inch panel.

LTPO+ Display

According to MacRumors, Apple could introduce upgraded LTPO+ display technology with the iPhone 18 Pro models. The newer technology could help reduce power consumption.

Variable Aperture Camera

The camera could receive one of the biggest upgrades. MacRumors reports that the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to feature a 48-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture.

A variable-aperture system can adjust the amount of light entering the camera, potentially giving the iPhone more flexibility when taking photographs in different lighting conditions.

Smaller Dynamic Island

Apple could also make the Dynamic Island smaller. MacRumors and Macworld have both reported on changes to the front-facing hardware that could allow Apple to reduce the space occupied by the Dynamic Island, giving users slightly more uninterrupted screen space.

Under-Display Face ID

The smaller Dynamic Island is also linked to possible changes in Face ID technology. Macworld has reported that Apple could move some Face ID components underneath the display.

Apple's New C2 Modem

The iPhone 18 Pro series is also expected to get Apple's next-generation C2 modem. MacRumors has reported that the C2 could bring improvements in cellular connectivity and power efficiency.

This would further Apple's move towards developing more of its own connectivity hardware rather than relying entirely on third-party modem technology.

ALSO READ | iPhone 18 Pro Vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Display, Battery, Camera Differences To Know

New Connectivity Hardware

The iPhone 18 Pro could also receive an updated wireless connectivity chip. MacRumors reports that Apple is expected to introduce an N2 chip, following the N1 chip used in the current generation, which supports technologies including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.

Colours And Design

Apple could also introduce new colour options for the Pro models. Recent reports have pointed to shades such as Dark Cherry, although the final names and availability remain unconfirmed.

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Vishwanath & Sons BO Collection Day 18: Suriya Starrer Keeps The Momentum Going

Suriya starrer Vishwanath & Sons is continuing its box office journey as the film enters another day of its theatrical run. The Tamil drama has stayed in cinemas into its third week, with audiences still turning up for the film.

Box Office Collection Day 18

The Tamil film has collected Rs 55 lakh net Live on Day 18 from 1,264 shows, with an occupancy of 18.5%. Its India net collection has reached Rs 116.55 crore, while the India gross collection stands at Rs 134.95 crore, according to the latest figures from trade tracker Sacnilk. Final Day 18 figures are awaited.

The Tamil version earned Rs 28 lakh Live from 585 shows, recording 19% occupancy. The Telugu version collected Rs 27 lakh live across 679 shows, with an occupancy of 18%.

ALSO READ | Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil OTT Releases This Weekend: Anbe Diana To Part-Timers — Here's What To Watch

Box Office Collection So Far

Vishwanath and Sons opened with Rs 15.35 crore on Day 1 and saw its biggest single-day collection on Day 2, when it earned Rs 22.25 crore. Day 3 added Rs 20.55 crore, while Day 4 recorded Rs 7.80 crore. The film collected Rs 6.35 crore on Day 5, Rs 5.10 crore on Day 6 and Rs 4.20 crore on Day 7, taking its first-week total to Rs 81.60 crore.

In the second week, the film earned Rs 4.50 crore on Day 8, followed by Rs 7.25 crore on Day 9 and Rs 7.30 crore on Day 10. It then collected Rs 2.05 crore, Rs 2.80 crore, Rs 2.35 crore and Rs 1.30 crore from Day 11 to Day 14, taking the second-week total to Rs 27.55 crore, as per Sacnilk.

About Vishwanath & Sons

Vishwanath & Sons follows Sanjay Vishwanath, an international shooter whose life changes as he faces ageing, family responsibilities and an unexpected romance.

Directed by Venky Atluri, the film stars Suriya, Mamitha Baiju, Raveena Tandon and Radhika Sarathkumar. G. V. Prakash Kumar has composed the music, while Nimish Ravi handled the cinematography and Navin Nooli edited the film.

ALSO READ | Vishwanath & Sons Box Office Collection Day 17: Suriya Film Sees Slight Dip, Check Sunday Earnings

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8-Year-Old Boy Run Over In Bandra; Woman Driver Arrested For Rash Driving

An eight-year-old boy was killed after he was knocked down and run over by an SUV driven by a woman who was distracted while speaking on her mobile phone at the time of incident, according to reports. 

Police have identified the deceased boy as as Ansh Ravindra Gupta, 8, while the accused woman has been identified as Megha Rawal, 45, news agency PTI reported.

Police arrested the driver of the SUV and further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash is underway. 

According to police, the incident took place in the afternoon on John Baptist Road, opposite Jijamata Garden, when the boy, Ansh Ravindra Gupta, was crossing the road.

“Rawal drove the vehicle recklessly at an excessive speed and, while distracted on a phone call, forcefully knocked Gupta down and ran the vehicle over him,” a police official said, according to PTI.

The child suffered severe injuries in the accident and was rushed to Holy Family Hospital. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival, police said.

ALSO READ : Andhra Pradesh Accident: Seven People Including Three Women Killed In Palnadu

Rawal, a resident of Bandra, has been booked under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. 

Police have also invoked Sections 281 and 125 of the BNS, relating to rash driving and acts endangering life or personal safety.

In addition, she has been booked under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act for dangerous driving, police said.

(With PTI inputs)

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Sooryavanshi's Cheeky Reply Amid Doubts Over His Bowling: "I'm A Wicket-Taker"

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed his wicket-taking prowess in East Zone's Duleep Trophy victory over North East Zone, striking twice in the latter's second innings. The 15-year-old, who had earlier shown glimpses of his left-arm off-spin during the U19 World Cup, used his bowling skills to good effect with the red ball too. After the match, Sooryavanshi confessed that East Zone captain Ishan Kishan thought it would be a risk to give him the ball. The 15-year-old cheekily said that Kishan wasn't aware of his wicket-taking skills.

"Ishan bhaiya felt like he was taking a risk by giving me the ball. But he doesn't know that I am a wicket-taker," Sooryavanshi said, in a video shared by BCCI.

"If you ask batters, they always enjoy bowling. A batter bowling or a bowler batting is enjoyable for the player. Wickets weren't falling for the opposing team.I was asked to bowl two or three overs," he shared.

Sooryavanshi revealed that he knew he would get only a handful of overs to bowl, and therefore, he tried to keep things simple and get the basics right.

Meet the secret wicket-taker who enjoys bowling and answered his captain's 'risky' call - By @jigsactin#DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/ZhZ0QkeyZm

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) August 29, 2026

"In my mind, I knew that even if I take five wickets, I am only going to get three overs to bowl. I tried to bowl as best as I could, in one spot, and to finish my spell. It was a lot of fun because batting didn't go so well in the last match, so contributing to the team with the ball was fun. When a batter takes a wicket, there is no greater enjoyment than that," Sooryavanshi said.

Making his Duleep Trophy debut, Sooryavanshi had a disappointing outing with the bat, scoring just 8 runs. However, his two late wickets ensured that he had a meaningful contribution to the team's victory.

East Zone ultimately won by an innings and 210 runs.

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Afghanistan Premier League T20 Reveals 3 Teams And New 'Koh-E-Zafar' Trophy

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), along with team owners and league partners, hosted a launch ceremony in Dubai to announce the debut of the Afghanistan Premier League T20 (APL T20). During the event, officials revealed the league's first three teams, their official identities, and the main championship trophy. The three founding franchises taking part in the inaugural season are Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan, and Kandahar Warriors. Each team aims to represent the passion of local cricket fans across different regions of Afghanistan. Team owners shared their vision for the league, focusing on building professional organizations, developing young local talent, and delivering an exciting, competitive style of play.

The league also unveiled its championship trophy, named 'Koh-E-Zafar'. The design is inspired by Afghanistan's famous mountain ranges, symbolizing strength, endurance, and top-level sporting achievement. ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf noted that the name reflects the ongoing journey of building a strong cricketing tradition for future generations.

In addition to the team and trophy reveals, officials announced key dates for the upcoming season. Player registration for the APL T20 Draft opens on August 30, 2026, on the official website (www.apl-t20.com), followed by the official Player Draft on September 27, 2026. The tournament is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026, with further details regarding host venues and full match schedules to be released in the coming weeks.

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'It Hit Me In Ways I Didn't See Coming': Rashmika Reviews Ravi Teja's Irumudi

Rashmika Mandanna has praised Ravi Teja's latest film Irumudi. The actor said the film unexpectedly touched her and praised the team for telling a story that she believes needs to be discussed.

Irumudi released in theatres on August 21 and has been doing well at the box office. Sharing her thoughts on X, Rashmika said that people growing up in small towns often turn to their elders when something troubles them. 

Rashmika wrote, "Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch Irumudi.. What a beautiful film it is.. it hit me in ways I didn't see coming.. Generally when we grow up in small towns something happens to us or something bothers us our first response will be to tell our elders what happened because that's the innocence in us.. and then the reality hits us.. and we are then told to keep quiet.. no matter what.."

She went on to praise the film and its cast and crew. Rashmika wrote, "This film was such a wonderful surprise and speaks of something that should be spoken about. Congratulations @RaviTeja_offl sir. I am so so happy for you for this success.. congratulations to Nakshathra.. you were the sunshine in the film, your smile made me smile.. congratulations sweetie @ShivaNirvana you deserve this success and how.. so so happy for you. Congratulations to the whole team - Thankyou for making a beautiful film like this."

Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch Irumudi.. ❤️

What a beautiful film it is.. ❤️ it hit me in ways I didn't see coming.. ❤️
Generally when we grow up in small towns something happens to us or something bothers us our first response will be to tell our elders what happened… pic.twitter.com/lyntnD3bm3

— Rashmika Mandanna (@iamRashmika) August 25, 2026

Irumudi Box Office Update

According to Sacnilk, the film has earned Rs 73 crore in India gross so far, while its India net collection stands at Rs 62.85 crore.

The film collected Rs 1.50 crore on Day 4, taking the worldwide gross collection to Rs 88 crore.

About The Film

Ravi Teja-starrer Irumudi is a family drama that revolves around the relationship between a father and his daughter.

Ravi Teja plays a man who has faced several difficulties in his past. He now leads a simple life with his daughter and tries to build a stable future for both of them. The story takes a turn when his daughter asks him to take Ayyappa Deeksha. He agrees to undertake the 41-day spiritual journey.

The film follows how he deals with these difficulties while continuing his spiritual journey. His relationship with his daughter remains an important part of the story.

Helmed by Shiva Nirvana and backed by Mythri Movie Makers and T-Series Films, the film's cast includes Priya Bhavani Shankar, Baby Nakshathra, Sai Kumar, Ajay Ghosh and Swasika Vijay. 

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