The Radhashtami festival is among the most important of all the celebrations worshiping Lord Vishnu or any of his avatars. Hindus observe Radhashtami as a sacred day. Radhashtami 2022 will fall on 4th September 2022.  On the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month, Krishna Priya Radhaji was born. Devotees significantly celebrate Radhashtami on the very day. 

Radhashtami Tithi 2022

Radhashtami Tithi	Time	Date
Ashtami Tithi begins	12:28 PM	September 3, 2022
Ashtami Tithi ends	10:39 AM	September 4, 2022

Significance of Radhashtami

The Queen of Vrindavan was born in Barasana and is considered the divine consort, closest friend, and the most beloved devotee surrendered unto the lotus feet of Hari. Radha in Sanskrit means ‘prosperity.’

It is stated in the Puranas, particularly in Shirmad Bhagavatam, that Radha is the Lord’s primary internal pleasure potency known as Hladini. Her inseparability from the Lord is in the Brahmavaivarta Purana and the Shiva Purana. When Lord Krishna first appeared on earth to perform in his pastimes over 5,000 years ago, Srimati Radharani also appeared. As the mother of all the Universes, she is referred as Jagat Janani.

Origin

King Vrishabhanu once went to the Jamuna for a bath on a half-moon night in the month of Bhadra and found himself immersed in a golden aura—the golden aura of unadulterated love. It emerged from a lotus, with a young child standing on its whorl. King, along with a young child returned to his palace.  Queen Kirtida happily adored her but seeing the girl’s blindness shocked her as well. Yashoda, the mother of Krishna, discovered Kirtida’s pregnancy on the opposite side. She hurried over to the girl along with Krishna. After reaching the cradle, the infant Krishna raised himself and turned to face the infant girl. She miraculously opened her eyes, to everyone’s surprise.

Radha and Krishna are never apart in Vaikuntha, the Lord’s home, according to the Krishna Katha (of the Shrimad Bhagavatam). Radha could not watch her loving consort depart when Brahma asked the Lord to descend and cleanse the planet of demonic kings and evil-minded races that tortured the saintly communities. She longed to come to earth as a blind person until she first saw the Lord.

Rituals

The Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra wear new attire for this auspicious occasion. Flowers in vibrant colors that fill the room with aroma are preferred to decorate the altar.

A person does not have the right to worship Lord Krishna if they do not worship Shri Radha. Therefore, all Vaishnavas pray to Goddess Radha.

The Deities of Sri Radha Krishna Chandra gets a beautiful abhisheka in the evening. When performing kirtans, devotees sing beautiful songs composed by Vaishnava Acharyas in praise of Srimati Radharani. Hundreds of devotees visit the temple to witness the celebrations. Juice from various fruits, such as muskmelon, apple, watermelon, pineapple, pomegranate, orange, sweet lime, papaya, and grapes, the Deities are bathed in milk, curd, ghee, honey, and jaggery water. The devotees sing Sri Radhika-stava as a beautiful Aarti.

Things to do on Radhashtami

The Deities’ bath in holy water falls from 108 Kalash after the aarti. Following the abhisheka, Sri Radha Krishnachandra receives Chappan bhog, 56 different dishes cooked by devotees.

Radha Ashtami Puja: Performing Radha Krishna Puja on an auspicious day is highly beneficial. The eternally united celestial couple Radha and Krishna stands for the spiritual energy of the cosmos. The scriptures refer to Krishna as Poonam Purushottam Brahma (the better than the best and entire Brahma), and Radharani is the Supreme Para Shakti, which is Krishna’s soul and energy. Puja invokes innumerable advantages for love, peace, and happiness. It promotes eternal and divine love between couples and helps them find the desired partner.

Radhastami Fasting: On this day, devotees practice fasting till the afternoon, and many cultural events are also planned. Everyone later takes part in a feast to celebrate the auspicious occasion.

Wearing Rudraksha: On this day, one wears 10 Mukhi Rudraksha (Ruling dorty Kushina), 19 Mukhi Rumaha Narayan, and 20 Mukhi Rudraksha (Narayana). It increases one’s devotional strength and causes one to detach from unnecessary material objects.

Wearing auspicious lockets:  Wearing silver Radha Krishna lockets continuously reminds devotees of their divinity and heavenly protection by these goods worn on the body. Additionally, you can wear gold and silver Radha Krishna pendants.

Radha Krishna idols: The ideal spiritual practice is to place a Radha Krishna idol in your home and worship it daily. Praying to the deity statues of this holy pair is equivalent to focusing on Brahman.

Radha Kristina Photo Frames: Radha Krishna picture frames on the walls of your home or place of business serve as a reminder of their presence.

Radha Ashtami Puja Vidhi

• – Set a good mood to start the day.
• – Take a bath in water mixed with Gangajal to purify yourself.
• – Install a Radharani temple and offer worship to the idol at noon.
• – Make a Sankalpa and state the reason why you are fasting in it.
• – Radha Ashtami Vrat Katha comes after Radha Stuti and Radha Chalisa.
• – Sing bhajans to the deity and light a Diya (oil lamp) in the evening to invoke it.
• – Perform aarti and offer the Goddess the Bhog.
• – Feed Brahmins and married women (Suhagin) the following day.
• – Have prasad to break the fast.

Celebrations

Radhashtami is especially significant for the pilgrimage to Manimahesh Lake, called Manimahesh Yatra, sponsored by the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Before the ceremony, there is a “holy chhari”. The 14-kilometer journey from Hadsar, the closest road junction, to Manimahesh Lake done by barefoot pilgrims, chanting, and dancing to Shiva songs. The Manimahesh Yatra begins on Krishna Janmashtami and concludes on Radhashtami after fifteen days.

Since Radha’s feet are unseen the rest of the year, worshippers can only see them on Radhashtami. In Brij, the day is generously celebrated, and many devotees observe a full-day fast known as a Nirjala Vrat (fasting without water).

Barasana, Brij, and ISCON temples celebrate Radhashtami in a grand way.

 

 

🗃️ This story is from our archives and may contain outdated information.