Radhastami

Radhashtami is a Hindu holiday commemorating the birth anniversary of Radha. On this day she emerged from a lotus flower as the lover-consort of the lord Krishna the eighth avatar of lord Vishnu. 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.[3] 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. [4]

Radhashtami
Radha and Madhav
Also calledRadha Jayanti
Observed byHindus
TypeReligious, Cultural
CelebrationsNoontime Sringara at Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana. Manimahesh Yatra[1]
Dateper Hindu calendar
2019 dateFriday, 6 September
2020 dateWednesday, 26 August[2]
FrequencyAnnual
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Hinduism

Traditionally, followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism will follow a half-day fast on this day. Like Ekadashi, some devotees observe this fast for full day and some even without water. The holiday is an important holiday for followers of the Nimbarka sampradaya. On this day, devotees of Krishna ask Radha for her favour and in turn acquire Krishna's grace.

Radhashtami is ceremoniously celebrated in the Brij 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.

Devotees will fast until noon and sing devotional songs in praise of the divine couple and their pastimes. Then a feast is served, most often including the Radha Red — a spicy, plum chutney.

The mantras which are chanted on Radhashtami are; Aum Vrashbahnujaye Vidmahe, Krishnapriyaye Dheemahi Tanno Radha Prachodyat and Jai Jai Shree Radhe.

The 2019 date is 6 September (Friday).[5][6]

Significance

Radhaashtami 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[7], to the Manimahesh Lake.

See also

References
  1. Ashtami- Significance And Celebrations
  2. Radha Ashtami Vrat Date
  3. Bhadrapada Festivals
  4. Radha Ashtami festival
  5. 2019 Radhashtami Date for Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
  6. http://www.newvrindaban.com/radhastami/
  7. Village Hadsar in Chamba district
  • "Srila Prabhupada's Presentation of Srimati Radharani - First Radhastami celebration in ISKCON". www.sdgonline.org. Retrieved 8 September 2008.
  • "Radhastami". www.krishna.com. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  • "Celebration of Radhashtami festival in Vrindavan". www.radhavallabh.com. Retrieved 4 December 2008.


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