Radhashtami in Vrindavan

Vrindavan is the holy place where there are several festivals which are celebrated with great joy and in traditional format. Radhashtami is among the one which hold its importance all around the region of Vrindavan. This festival is celebrated as the birthday occasion of Radha. It is commenced on the Bhadrapad Shukla Panchmi every year. At this time there are devotional songs sung in the temples by the priests and decoration undergoes in every temples of Radha and Krishna. This is continued for four days where holy couple of Radha and Krishna is taken away from the temple by the females.


Further, the band parties have special role to play such as they play devotional tunes all over the town that is joined by the pilgrims visiting this place and continues the program of dance and devotional Radha-Krishna songs in traditional pattern. Several pictorial representations are done in the form of Jhankis and lightning Chav is also carried on on the streets of Vrindavan. The deity of Radha-Krishna are dressed with new ornaments and couples dance whole night by singing glorious songs and congratulating the local people. Aarti of different times is most important and holds religious importance.

There are several types of dishes prepared at this occasion of Radhashtami festival. The dishes include gujhias, ladoos, sweet almond, makhaana, matharis, panjeeri, rajbhog, sakalpara and several coconut items form the part of bhog which is offered to the deity of Radha and Krishna. These are the bhogs which are offered on the daily basis during this festival of Radhashtami.

Furthermore, there is another tradition of performing a special dance which is known as Dadhi Kando. At this occasion curd, milk, turmeric, sandals and saffron is poured in a large tank and mixed. Devotees dance in the circular form with singing devotional songs related to the birth of Radha. Further, the mixture is sprinkled on the dancing devotees. There is also a trend of bathing in the holy river Yamuna at this occasion. This festival comes to an end on the day of celebration of Chhathi which is the sixth day of Radha's birth. Moreover, the last prayer including the special bhog is offered by devotees to the Radha-Krishna deity.

After this event the last holy bath is undergone which is known as the Panchamrit early morning before the Mangla Aarti. After it the deity is also bathed with the ingredients such as Yamuna river water, milk, curd, sugar, honey and ghee and after this it is placed in the specially decorated temple for this last celebration of the festival of Radhashtami. After this the festival comes to an end.

Therefore, the Radhashtami is the most popular and traditionally celebrated festival which brings joy in the people for the birth of Radha. At this time pilgrims from all over the world visit this place of Vrindavan and enjoy the rituals of India. This is a special moment for the pilgrims of foreign country and they totally plunge them in the devotion of this festival. Hence, with the end of this festival the six days celebration of the Radha's birth comes to an end and people wait for the next year's celebration.