Radha Ashtami

Radha Ashtami falls on the Ashtami date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada. Radha Rani was born on this day. Her birth anniversary is celebrated as Radha Ashtami. According to religious scriptures, Lord Shri Krishna was born on Ashtami Tithi and also Radha ji and Rukmini ji were born on Ashtami Tithi. Therefore, Ashtami Tithi is considered very auspicious in Sanatan religion. Radha Ashtami is celebrated 15 days after Krishna Janmashtami. Just as the festival of Janmashtami is celebrated, similarly the festival of Radha Ashtami is also celebrated with great pomp in Vrindavan and Mathura. On this day, Lord Shri Krishna is also worshiped along with Radha ji because without Lord Shri Krishna, Radha and without Radha, Krishna is incomplete.

Importance of Radha Ashtami

Like Janmashtami, Radha Ashtami also has special significance. It is said that observing fast on Radha Ashtami destroys all sins. It is said that the person who pleases Radha ji with his worship gets Lord Shri Krishna himself. By observing fast on Radha Ashtami, all the troubles of life end. Women who observe fast on this day are blessed with unbroken good fortune and there is happiness, prosperity and peace in their families. This fast is also observed for the happiness of having children.

Method of worship

Get up in the morning and do your daily routine, take bath etc., clean the place of worship and purify the place by sprinkling Ganga water. Spread a clean cloth on the stool and place an urn made of clay or copper in the middle of the stool. After that install the idol or picture of Radha and Shri Krishna. Wrap Kalava in betel nut and establish Lord Ganesha. First of all worship Lord Ganesha. After worshiping Lord Ganesha, bathe Radha ji with Panchamrit and dress her new clothes and apply tilak on Radha with kumkum and Lord Krishna with sandalwood. Offer food to Lord Shri Krishna and Radha ji and listen to the stories of the pastimes of both. After listening to the story with devotion, perform aarti of the Lord and distribute Prasad. On the second day, according to devotion, feed married women and Acharyas and give them Dakshina.

Birth of Radha

Radha was born on the Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada in a village called Rawal situated near Yamuna in Barsana. After this her father settled in Barsana. Her father's name was Shri Vrishabhanu and mother's name was Kirti.

It is told in Brahmavaivarta Purana that once in Goloka, Shri Krishna was near Viraja devi. Shri Radha did not like Shri Krishna ji being near Viraja devi. Then Radha Rani along with her friends started going to Lord Shri Krishna but Shri Dam stopped them. On being stopped by Shri Dam, Radha Rani got angry and cursed Shri Dam to go to Asura yoni. After being cursed without any reason, Shri dam also cursed Radha Rani that she should also be born in a human form. Shri dam curses Radha Rani and says - O Radhe! There will be a Mahayogi who is part of Shri Hari, his name will be Rayana and the foolish people on earth will consider you to be the wife of Rayana and also you will be separated from Lord Shri Krishna for some time.