The Janmashtami fast is traditionally broken at midnight after the midnight puja and celebrations of Lord Krishna's birth. To break the fast the right way:
- After completing the midnight puja, accept the bhog (prasad) that is ceremonially offered to Lord Krishna, which typically includes his favorite offerings like butter, sweets, and fruits.
- Then eat fresh fruit as the first food to break the fast.
- After that, you may consume other vrat-friendly, sattvic foods such as milk, curd, sabudana, and dishes made from kuttu (buckwheat) or singhara (water chestnut) flour.
- Avoid ordinary food, grains, onions, garlic, tamasic foods, and non-vegetarian items right after breaking the fast.
- Many devotees continue to eat pure vegetarian, sattvic foods throughout the rest of the day to maintain devotion and spiritual benefit.
Breaking the fast in this mindful and devotional manner honors the spirit of Janmashtami vrat and is believed to bring immense spiritual blessings.
