Religion:Radhastami
| Radhashtami | |
|---|---|
 Radhastami celebration at Krishna Balaram Mandir | |
| Also called | Radha Ashtami, Radha Jayanti |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Religious, Cultural |
| Celebrations | Noontime Sringara at Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana. Manimahesh Yatra[1] |
| Frequency | Annual |
Radhashtami is a Hindu holy day commemorating the birth anniversary of the goddess Radha, consort of the god Krishna. It is celebrated mainly by devotees of Krishna, especially with great fervor in her birthplace of Barsana, on the Shukla Paksha Ashtami of the Bhadra (Hindu calendar) month.[2][3] The festival suggests that Radha is very much an aspect of the cultural-religious faith system governing social life.[4] In the Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa of the Skanda Purana, it is mentioned that God Krishna had 16,000 friends called Gopi and gopikas, out of which Radha was the most prominent one of the revered 108.[5]
History and significance
The Radharani was born on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha ashtami) in the month of Bhadrapada month, Anuradha Nakshatra, 12 noon and As per the Gregorian calendar, 23 September 3221 BC - Wednesday at Barsana (Rawal), Uttar Pradesh, India . Goddess Radha was found on the golden lotus in the pond by king Vrishbhanu and his wife Keerti. As per folktales, Radha did not open her eyes to see the world until Lord Krishna himself appeared in front of her.[6]
Fasting and celebration
Traditionally, followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism (ISKCON devotees) and devotees of goddess Radha observe the Radha Ashtami Vrat (fast). Devotees usually follow a half-day fast on this day. But, like Ekadashi, some devotees observe this fast for full day and some even without water. In ISKCON temples Mahabhishek of Radharani is done on this day.[7][8][9]
Radhashtami is ceremoniously celebrated in the Braj area. On Radhastami, Radha Krishna icons are traditionally dressed entirely in flowers. Additionally, Radhashtami is the only day on which devotees may receive darshan of Radha's feet. On all other days, they remain covered.[10]
On this day, devotees also sing devotional songs in praise of the divine couple Radha Krishna and their pastimes. Later, feast is served as prasada to celebrate this day.
The mantras which are chanted on Radhashtami are: Aum Vrashbahnujaye Vidmahe, Krishnapriyaye Dheemahi Tanno Radha Prachodaya and Radhe Radhe.
Significance
Radhashtami is particularly important for the holy pilgrimage to Manimahesh Lake, called Manimahesh Yatra, which is sponsored by the Government of Himachal Pradesh. It is preceded by the "holy chhari", (holy stick carried by the pilgrims on their shoulders). The pilgrims barefooted, singing and dancing to the hymns of God Shiva, undertake this trek of 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from the nearest road point of Hadsar,[11] to the Manimahesh Lake. The Manimahesh Yatra that starts from Krishna Janmashtami, ends after fifteen days with Radhashtami.[12]
See also
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Manimahesh Lake
- Radha
- Radha Rani Temple
- Krishnaism
- Gita Govinda
References
- ↑ Ashtami- Significance And Celebrations[1]
- ↑ Bhadrapada Festivals
- ↑ "Radhastami celebrations at ISKCON temple today". 6 September 2019. https://m.timesofindia.com/city/patna/radhastami-celebrations-at-iskcon-temple-today/articleshow/70999277.cms.
- ↑ Mohanty, Prafulla Kumar (2003). "Mask and Creative Symbolisation in Contemporary Oriya Literature : Krishna, Radha and Ahalya". Indian Literature 47 (2 (214)): 181–189. ISSN 0019-5804. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23341400.
- ↑ Radha Ashtami festival
- ↑ "Radha Ashtami 2017: Significance, Mahurat Timings, Prasad and Pooja Rituals". 30 August 2017. https://www.ndtv.com/food/radha-ashtami-2017-significance-mahurat-timings-prasad-and-pooja-rituals-1743444.
- ↑ "Radhastami celebrations at ISKCON temple today". 6 September 2019. https://m.timesofindia.com/city/patna/radhastami-celebrations-at-iskcon-temple-today/articleshow/70999277.cms.
- ↑ "An ashtami that marks Radha's birthday". 27 August 2009. https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/An-ashtami-that-marks-Radhas-birthday/articleshow/4938628.cms.
- ↑ "Radha Ashtami 2017: Significance, Mahurat Timings, Prasad and Pooja Rituals". 30 August 2017. https://www.ndtv.com/food/radha-ashtami-2017-significance-mahurat-timings-prasad-and-pooja-rituals-1743444.
- ↑ "An ashtami that marks Radha's birthday". 27 August 2009. https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/An-ashtami-that-marks-Radhas-birthday/articleshow/4938628.cms.
- ↑ Village Hadsar in Chamba district [2]
- ↑ Radhashtami is fifteen days after Krishna Janmashtami
External links
- "Srila Prabhupada's Presentation of Srimati Radharani - First Radhastami celebration in ISKCON". www.sdgonline.org. http://www.sdgonline.org/radha/radharani_prabhupada.html. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
- "Radhastami". www.krishna.com. http://www.krishna.com/radhastami. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- "Celebration of Radhashtami festival in Vrindavan". www.radhavallabh.com. http://www.radhavallabh.com/Radhashtami.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
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