Introduction:
Radha Ashtami or Radha Jayanti is celebrated on the birth of Shri Radha Rani. It takes place on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar. In 2023 the Radha Ashtami is on 23 September, 15 days after Krishna Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Shri Krishna and the fourth day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
It is believed that the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami is incomplete without the fast on Radha Ashtami. As a result, Radha Ashtami must also be celebrated as Krishna Janmashtami.
Radha Ashtami is celebrated on a big scale in places like Barsana, Vrindavan, and Mathura. Devotees of Radha perform a special Pooja on this day.
Who is Radha Rani:
Radha Rani is the primal divinity of Krishna’s very life, the first of all people, and the energy of Lord Vishnu, according to Hindu mythology. She resides in the Lord’s heart center and is Lord Krishna’s lover. The queen and head of the Gopis, as well as the creator of the Rasa dance, is the lovely Radharani. The simplest way to satisfy Lord Vishnu and gain His wonderful blessings is to pray to Goddess Radha.
Radha Ashtami in 2023
- Radha Ashtami is on 23 September 2023, Friday
- Madhyahna Time: 11:36 AM to 2:02 PM
- Duration of 02 hours 26 Minutes
- Radha Ashtami Thiti Begins: 04:05 AM on September 22, 2023
- Radha Ashtami Tithi Ends: 02:47 AM on September 23, 2023
Story of Radha
Radha was the child of Vrishbhanu and Kirtikumari. King Suchandra was Vrishabhanu’s prior lifetime. He prayed to Lord Brahma for children along with his wife. They wished that Goddess Lakshmi or Laxmi would be their child. Brahma, pleased with their worship, appeared and asked them what was the wish for which they had worshiped him. Suchandra prayed to Brahma and replied that they wanted Goddess Laxmi as their child. Brahma replied that they couldn’t have Laxmi as a child in this life but assured them that they would have Goddess Laxmi as a child in their next life.
As promised by Brahma, Radha, a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi, conceived Vrishbhanu. The story also says that Vrishbhanu heard a baby sobbing when he was walking near a river. He investigated the noise and discovered a young child floating in a lotus flower. Vrishbhanu and his wife had no children and were very happy to see a baby girl and adopted her as their daughter.
When Sage Narada visited Vrishbhanu, he informed the family that the little girl was none other than the goddess Lakshmi and asked them to raise her as such.
The newly-born girl became recognized as Vrishabahnu’s daughter at that point. She had the name Radha and was madly in love with Lord Krishna, the Vishnu incarnation The love of Radha and Krishna is the most famous and is also an example of divine and selfless love. In the love of Radha and Krishna, there is no longer a difference between Krishna and Radha as two separate bodies which is to say that there is no difference between the devotee and the lord.
Why Radha Ashtami is celebrated?
Radha Ashtami is a Hindu festival. Radha is a specific soul, and lord Shri Krishna is the universe’s soul. Radhakrishnan relates to Radha and Krishna coexisting.
A happy and prosperous life will be offered upon the Radha Ashtami vrat. The person will overcome all obstacles, achieve their goals, and find salvation.
You may be able to make up for all of your sins by maintaining the Radha Ashtami fast and honoring Goddess Radha. Their negative thoughts will be cast out, and they will experience spiritual happiness.
According to the Vedas and Puranas, Krishna Vallabh is another name for Radhaji. Lord Krishna had a great deal of affection for Radhaji. Krishna’s life is under Radha’s control. As a result, worshipping a Krishna idol alone without her is inadequate.
Significance of Radha Ashtami celebration:
According to the story of Bhagwat Purana, Shri Krishna and Radha are not two but one. They are united by soul. According to this Purana, Lord Krishna doesn’t fulfill the wishes of the devotees who only worship Lord Krishna but do not worship Radha Rani. According to mythology, Lord Krishna showers happiness, peacefulness, and prosperity onto his followers who worship Maa Radha, who resides in his heart. It is also said that those who observe the fast of Shri Krishna Janmashtami should keep the fast of Radha Ashtami too
Fasting story behind Radha Ashtami:
Radha and Krishna were residents of Goloka. Lord Krishna once journeyed with Sridama, a friend. This annoyed Radha Rani, who went to Krishna and began yelling at him as a result. Radha’s behavior irritated Lord Krishna’s companion Sridama, therefore he cursed her to give birth on Earth. Sridama will turn into a demon when he is angry, Radha also cursed.
Then, Radha Rani was born in Brij Mandal and was discovered for the first time on the planet while sleeping on a golden lotus leaf in a pond in Barsana. Vrishbhanu and Keerti, a couple without children of their own, were the ones who found her. Therefore, the couple adopted her. Radha Ashtami is a celebration remembering the day she was found. Additionally, it’s thought that Radha, a newborn, didn’t open her eyes until Shri Krishna came in front of her. According to Hindu legend, Radha represents Lord Krishna’s spiritual power. Radha remained the beloved of Lord Krishna for a lifetime, but they were not destined to be together because of the curse.
Radha Ashtami Puja Vidhi:
- On Radha Ashtami day, Devotees wake up early in the morning and take a bath before sunrise. Then the place of Pooja is cleaned and decorated. After this, the devotees keep the auspicious Radha Ashtami fast for the entire day with full devotion.
- The most important ritual of the Radha Ashtami Puja is Radha Krishna Abhishek. In this ritual, Pandit Ji performs the Abhishek by bathing the idols of Radha and Krishna in holy and sacred Panchamrit which is made up of milk, yogurt, ghee, jaggery, and honey.
- If Pandit Ji is not available, any devotee can do this procedure. The idols are then dressed in beautifully knitted new clothing and fresh flower garlands.
- Shringar is offered to the deities together with bhog and dhoop by devotees. 108 times are repeated the Radha Gayatri Mantra, Shri Krishna Ashtak, and Radha Ashtak.
- On Radha Ashtami day, all the temples of Radhakrishna are lavishly decorated with flowers and garlands. The idols are adorned with beautiful new clothes and fresh flowers after giving a bath with holy water and panchamrit (a mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, jaggery, and honey). Then, devotees offer shringar items to the deity along with Diyas, incense sticks, and varieties of fruits and sweets as a bhog. Devotees perform Aarti while chanting mantras.
- The glories of Goddess Radharani in the historic temples of Vrindavan, Mathura, and Braj Bhumi are recounted by experts and distinguished speakers. Maha-abhisheka is performed at noon with a variety of ingredients such as prasad and many colorful flowers. Temples prepare a lavish blog that includes more than 100 different dishes as well as several desserts, sweet treats, and pancakes. Bhog and the Maha-Aarti are offered once the Maha-abhisheka is finished. The majority of followers perform a fast until noon while humming hymns in adoration of the holy couple, and then in the afternoon, they partake in a transcendental feast. After doing the evening aarti and viewing various cultural shows that are broadcast in the evening, devotees return to their homes.
Mantras chanted for Radha Ashtami:
Chanting by following a mantra can be beneficial for our brain. When we chant this, our mind releases the positive energy that reduces stress. Chanting mantras to praise Radha Rani is an ancient practice that calms the mind and soul.
Radha Rani Gayatri Mantra:
“Aum Vrashbhanujaye Vidmahe Krishnapriyaye Dhimahi Tanno Radha Prachodayat”
Radha Rani Aarthi Mantra:
“Tapta-Kanchana-Gaurangi Vrindavaneshvari Pranamami Hari-Priye”
Conclusion:
Radhaji is another term for Krishna Vallabh, who is an avatar of Goddess Lakshmi. Radha Ashtami or Radha Jayanti is the day on which Hindus commemorate Radha Rani’s birth. Every year, all of Lord Radhakrishna’s temples commemorate this important occasion with tremendous devotion. According to Hindu texts, Radha is Lord Krishna’s soul, and worshiping Goddess Radha on this day allows a devotee to obtain the divine blessings of Lord Vishnu and His spouse Goddess Lakshmi. In India, the fortunate occasion is celebrated with magnificent ceremonial festivities in the birthplaces of Radharani, Barsana, and Lord Krishna, Mathura. Millions of devotees flock to these locations to adore Goddess Radha and take part in this colorful celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions on Radha Ashtami:
- What is the importance of Radha Ashtami?
The devotees who pray to goddess Radha on this day are believed to be shown not only her blessings but also those of Lord Krishna. These blessings are happiness, good health, wealth, and prosperity.
- What to do on Radha Ashtami?
Devotees do fast rules, wake up early in the morning, participate in rituals like Aarthi, break their sattvic food, and avoid alcohol and arguments.
- What to eat in Radha Ashtami fast?
On Radha Ashtami, devotees should fast for the entire day and only eat fruits once. After that panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, gee, and water) is given after abhisheka.
- What should we avoid on Radha Ashtami?
Alcohol, Onion, and garlic. As per Hinduism onion and garlic should not be consumed on any festivals.
