Radhashtami has been regarded as the holiday for Hindu. It remembers the Radhika’s birth anniversary. She has been regarded as the Goddess Mahalakshmi in certain scriptures of India. She has been regarded as the hladini shakti of Sri Krishna. She has been respected as a shakti by the scriptures of Vaishnav community. On a particular day, she had risen from lotus flower in the form of lover-consort of Sri Krishna.
There is a celebration by the Krishna devotees. She is celebrated significantly at her birthplace named Barsana on Shukla Paksha Ashtami in the month of Bhadra month. For Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa in the Skanda Purana, it has been written that Sri Krishna have 16,000 friends and they are known as Gopi along with the gopikas. Radha is the dominant out of the respected 108 friends.
The birth of Radharani had taken place on eighth day or ashtami on Shukla Paksha at the month of Bhadrapada. She has been found and chosen by Keerti and Vrishbhanu from the pond located at Barsana. The eyes have been closed from the birth and this has been opened as Shri Krishna came to meet her.
In ISKCON, the Gaudiya Vaishnav followers celebrate the Radha Ashtami Vrat or fast. The fasting is followed by the devotees for half-day on a particular day called Radhastami. There are certain devotees who follow the fast for the total day and there are some devotees who follow it without taking water. In the temples of ISKCON Mahabhishek of our Radharani takes place.
Radhashtami has been celebrated with the ceremony in Brij zone. On the day of Radhastami, the icons of Radha Krishna are decorated with the flowers. The Radhashtami has been the day where the devotees might get to see the feet of Radha. In the rest of the day of the year, the feet is generally covered.
The fast of devotee takes place till noon and they are singing devotional songs for praising Radha and Krishna who are regarded as the divine couple and they praise the pastimes of Radha and Sri Krishna. Subsequently, a feast is held. It consists of plum chutney, which is quite spicy.
The Vaishnav chant mantras on Radhashtami and they are:
“Aum Vrashbahnujaye Vidmahe, Krishnapriyaye Dheemahi Tanno Radha Prachodyat and Jai Jai Shree Radhe.”
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