Shashi Tharoor Questions Why Kerala Will Celebrate Janmashtami Six Weeks Later
Thiruvananthapuram, 18th August 2025: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has raised questions over the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami in Kerala on a different date than the rest of the country. While Janmashtami was celebrated nationwide on August 16, 2025, Kerala will observe the festival six weeks later, on September 14, as per the Malayalam calendar.
Tharoor expressed his objection on social media, posting a video of Krishna Janmashtami celebrations and asking why the festival is not observed uniformly across India. “Yesterday, 16th Aug, 2025 (Saturday), was celebrated as Bhagwan Sri Krishna #Janmashtami across India – except in the state of Kerala! The Malayalam calendar shows this year’s Janmashtami date as 14th Sept, 2025 (Sunday), NOT yesterday,” he wrote.
‘We Don’t Celebrate Christmas Differently’
The Thiruvananthapuram MP questioned the logic behind separate celebrations, writing: “Can anyone tell me why this is so? It is certain that God cannot be born on two different dates, once now and once six weeks later! Is it not possible that all the followers of one religion can celebrate all festivals together? After all, the people of Kerala do not celebrate Christmas separately.”
His remarks have sparked debate, with many pointing to the differences in regional calendars used to determine festival dates.
Tharoor’s Earlier Remarks on Krishna
This is not the first time Shashi Tharoor has referenced Lord Krishna in his statements. Recently, he shared a video in Hindi, highlighting lessons from the Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, and Bhagavata Purana. Tharoor said that Krishna’s life was dedicated to upholding dharma and punishing the wicked, adding that Indian politics too must learn from these values.
Krishna Janmashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with great devotion across India through fasting, prayers, and cultural festivities. However, the difference in dates between the national calendar and the Malayalam calendar has now drawn political and cultural attention.
