Radhaashtami – The birth of Lord Krishna’s

beloved

Celebrating Radhaashtami – The birth of Lord Krishna’s beloved :
India, this wonderful motherland of ours, is a land of eternal beauty, joy, compassion.  We see celebration in every form and aspect of our lives. Almost every day of the year has some importance and is marked for celebration in some part of this vast land. Spirituality, eternal bliss and love reigns supreme in almost everything that we do.  Especially, beginning from the month of August, the festive mood begins to set in and goes on for months to come and people from every walk of life gear up to celebrate almost every second day of each month. And in this line of long festivities is the celebration of Radhaashtami. Collectively known as the feminine and the masculine aspects of god, Radha Krishna’s name is always spoken in unison. With Krishna, Radha is acknowledged as the Supreme Goddess. While Krishna, the supreme lord enchants the world, Radha, his beloved enchants even him! Hence she is the supreme goddess and his eternal love

About the celebration:

Radhaashtami is commemorated as birth anniversary of Goddess Radha. Celebrated throughout the country and especially in the northern part of India with full devotion and joy, Radhaashtami is observed after 15 days of Janmashtami, the birth celebration of lord Krishna. It is celebrated on Ashtami of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapada month which falls on this day, this year i.e 12th September, 2013.  Goddess Radharani is believed to have appeared (not born) in Brij Mandal as the lovely daughter of Shri Vrishbhanu in Barsana , the suburb of Mathura.  According to Padma Purana, Vrishbhanu and his wife Kirti (Radharani’s Parents) received Radha and considered to be his own daughter and took care of her. It has also been mentioned in Padma Purana that Lord Vishnu asked his family members to come to planet Earth as incarnations before being born as Lord Krishna. Therefore, Goddess Lakshmi who is Lord Vishnu’s wife incarnated as Radharani.  Believed to be older to Krishna as she appeared much before him, it is said that the divine girl Radha opened her eyes for the first time only after Lord Krishna was born.

Goddess Radha’s village Barsana is located between Goverdhan and Nandgaon.  The area is densely forested and is agricultural.   It is said that the forests were inhabited with lots of monkeys and peacocks and was dotted with a large numbers of natural springs and ponds known as Kunds. So this beautiful land has the distinction of being the playground of Radha and Krishna.  The people living in this area, known as Brijvasis, were simple kind hearted souls.  For them their simple yet unconditional love and devotion for Lord Krishna and his Supreme friend and devotee, Radha was the only thing that mattered in the world. This devotion continues, even to this day.

On this day in Brij, Mathura, Vrindavan:

In this beautiful land of Brij, Radharani’s birthday is celebrated with the same joy and zeal as Krishna’s. Again the temples are decorated; special prayers are offered and devotional songs. Devotees observe fast on this day. Goddess Radha is worshipped during Madhyana Kaal which is noon time according to Hindu division of the day. Devotees sing and dance singing praises of  Lord Krishna's greatest devotee, the feminine aspect of the Absolute Truth, and Lord Krishna's energy personified, Goddess Radha. The goddess’ idols are bathed in Panchamrit, a mixture of turmeric and curd is sprinkled on the devotees. Bhajans and Kirtans are organised and devotees attend these in large groups and are extremely happy and excited on this day.  The relationship of Sri Krishna and Radha surpasses human concepts and is spiritual in nature. It is believed that Lord Krishna’s worship is incomplete without Radha’s worship. Radha is the controller of Lord Krishna’s life and they are seen as one.

- Veena Shyamraj

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