Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s Boat Festival takes place over the course of one week during the summer, but devotees from around the world get to participate in the festival for one day during the annual Gaura-purnima festival.
This year, the festival took place on the 16th of March. Sri Sri Radha Madhava are taken from the temple on procession, riding atop a carved wooden palanquin. They are brought to the pukur, or ornamental pond, that sits beside Srila Prabhupada’s Puspa-samadhi Mandir. The pond is ringed by walkways and steps leading down to the water, and within the water sits a decorated boat created especially for the use of Radha Madhava. The whole area is decorated with lights and flowers.
Radha Madhava are situated in the boat with Their pujaris and devotees and visitors crowd around the pond to witness the sweet festival. The Lord’s pujaris row the boat around the pond, stopping several times to allow devotees to offer flowers, garlands, and bhoga to Radha Madhava. Arati is offered, and all present get the opportunity to offer a clay lamp to the Deities.
After Radha Madhava have circled the pond several times, serenaded by sweet kirtan and surrounded by devotees eager to glimpse Their sweet pastime, They are taken from the boat and placed upon a decorated swing. Here, They again accept bhoga offerings from Their devotees and then all of Their devotees have the opportunity to swing Them.
All glories to Sri Sri Radha Madhava!
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