Reasons Why We Celebrate Radha Ashtami

Radha Ashtami is celebrated with great joy and ecstasy by the Krishna devotees. Radha, the divine consort of Lord Krishna is said to be born on this day. Radha Ashtami falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, fifteen days after the birthday of Lord Krishna (Janmashtami). The love stories of Radha and Krishna are well known. Hence, Radha Ashtami celebrates the unique relationship and love of Radha and Krishna.

Radha was born or rather believed to be found lying on a lotus leaf in a pond of Barsana. She was picked up from there and brought up by a couple Vrishbhanu and Keerti. It is believed that the divine girl did not open her eyes till Sri Krishna was born. Hence the divine love of Sri Radha and Krishna surpasses all human concepts and is spiritually significant.

Hindu scriptures describe Radha as Lord Krishna's spiritual energy. It is said that whenever the Lord takes an incarnation, His spiritual energy is born in a female form. Hence one can attain the grace of Lord Krishna only by worshipping His spiritual energy, Radha.

Significance Of Radha Ashtami

Radha Ashtami is a vital festival for all the Krishna devotees. Devotees observe a fast on this day in the honour of Radha Rani. The idol of Radha is cleaned with milk and then decorated. The idol is offered various sweets and 'aarti' is performed along with singing bhajans and devotional songs.

It is believed that if one observes fast on Radha Ashtami and worships the Goddess with the utmost devotion, the person is freed from all his/her sins. The person attains spiritual bliss which gives him/her immense peace and satisfaction. The mind of the person is cleared from all the bad and negative thoughts which gives him/her the much desired mental and spiritual satisfaction.

Celebrating Radha Ashtami

Radha Ashtami is a huge festival for the people of Vrindavan and the adjacent areas. On normal days, people are not allowed to chant Radha's name or dip in the holy Radha Kund because it is considered as disrespectful for the Goddess. However on the day of Radha Ashtami, the devotees can take a dip in the pond and chant Her name after midnight. So, every year people gather in large numbers on this day to take bath in the Radha Kund and get blessed by Radha Rani.

The idol of Radha is bathed with water from 27 different wells of the area and 'prasad' consisting of milk, curd, and ghee is offered to the Goddess. Devotional songs such as the bhajan and kirtan are sung throughout the day in honour of the deity.

Hence, Radha Ashtami holds a special spiritual significance for all those who believe in Lord Krishna and His spiritual love for Radha. The festival celebrates the unique relationship of the God with His devotees.