Happy radhashtami- happy birthday of radha rani

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CA ADITYA SHARMA

CA IN PRACTICE

16719 Points Joined May 2011

The Ashtami of Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha is called the Krishna Janmashtami. And, the Ashtami of Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha is called Radha Ashtami. In the year 2011, Radha Ashtami is celebrated 5th September. This day, fast of Mahalakshmi is also started.

It is believed, the person who worships Radha, always has the grace of lord Krishna. According to Bhagavad Gita, lord Krishna is the only God and all others are just a mere fraction of him. The fast of Radha Ashtami is observed on Ashtami of Badrapad Shukla Paksha.

Radha was born on this day. Hence, this day is celebrated as the birthday of Radha. Radha-Krishna are worshipped specially, on this day. And, Radha is made to have bath with Panchamrit. Fasting and worshipping, on this day, removes all sorts of sins. And, person observing fast receives happiness in this Lok and heaven.
Radha Ashtami Birth Place:Raval(Vrindavan)

In all the parts of India, lord Krishna is worshipped in some or the other form. Lord Krishna has many incarnations. He was married to 16000 Gopies. But, Krishna had affection only with Radha. Radha was born in the village named Rava( Vrindavan) of Uttar Pradesh. The day of Radha Ashtami is celebrated as religious festival. Festival and fast, both fall on this day.Hence, an environment of happiness and faith is created.

A lot of enthusiasm and excitement can be seen in, Vrindavan, as it is the birth place of Radha. On this occasion, many fairs are organised here. And, cultural programs are organised. Pleasing Bhajan and Kirtans are performed.

According to Maharishi Ved Vyas, Radha was the soul of lord Krishna. Radha used to reside in the heart of lord Krishna. She was the beloved of Krishna. Radha is considered an invocation for lord Brahma and Shiva as well.
Radha Birth Story

There is a mythological saga in reference to the birth of Radha. Once Vrishbhanu, father of Radha, was passing near the Sarovar on Ashtami of Bhardapad Shukla Paksha. He found a baby girl floating on a lotus. He adopted the girl in form of his daughter. It is said, Radha was 11 months older then Krishna. From childhood itself, she was a unique devotee of lord Krishna.

Since, hundreds of years, birthday of Radha is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Brahmagiri temple of Barsana. A spiritual Mela is organised here, from Bhadrapada Ekadashi to Bhadrapada Chaturdashi. Other places linked with Radha Krishna,also, organise this fair.

Apart from Barsana, Radha Ashtami is celebrated with full joy in Vrindavan. Songs and dance are performed in occasion of Radha Rani’s birthday. The city resembles the beauty of a bride, on this day. The temple of Radha, in Barsana, is decorated with flowers. Bhog of Ladoos are offered to Radaha. Chappan Bhog is prepared and Navedy is offered to Radha. After Bhog, the Prasaad is given to peacocks.

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CA ADITYA SHARMA

CA IN PRACTICE

16719 Points Joined May 2011

Raval is the birthplace of Srimati Radharani. It is not so frequently visited place, which inspires unique mood of separation in the hearts of Her devotees.

Once King Vrisabhanu went to the Yamuna river to take bath. He saw a golden lotus flower that shone like a million suns in the middle of the river...

...In the middle of the lotus flower was baby Srimati Radharani...

...Lord Brahma appeared before King Vrisabhanu and told him that in his previous life he and his wife, Kirtida, had performed great austerities to get the consort of Lord Vishnu as their daughter...

...King Vrisabhanu took the child home, but found her to be blind...

...Narada Muni appeared before the king and told him that despite the child's blindness he should go ahead and perform all the auspicious birth ceremonies...

...Nanda Maharaja brought baby Krishna along for the ceremonies held by king Vrisabhanu for his daughter...

...When baby Krishna crawled before Srimati Radharani, She could smell the wonderful aroma of His body, and at that moment She opened Her eyes. The first person She saw was Her eternal consort, Sri Krishna.

There is a small temple here called
Lairy-Lal

Small, but very sweet Deities of Radha and Krisna are said to be installed by Vajranabha, Krisna's great grandson.

After circumambulating the altar and offering prayers to Radharani...

...one can climb to the roof and see dried Yamuna bed.

Here in direction towards us..

...5000 years ago Yamuna river used to flow and brought Srimati Radharani to Kirtida and Vrisabhanu.

The temple itself is very simple and ordinary people find not so much to see here...

...But true devotees find this place is simply unique.

On the opposite side of the temple is Radharani's garden.

Radha-Krisna tree in Radharani's garden resemble white Radha standing next to blackish Krishna

There are ruins of old temple in Radharani's garden.

Different groups of devotees are rare visitors...

...in this simple village surroundings that mark the place of Srimati Radharani's appearance.

"O goddess worshiped by the kings of sages, O goddess who remove the sufferings of the three worlds, O goddess whose face is a blossoming lotus, O goddess who enjoy pastimes in the forest, O daughter of Vrisabhanu, O companion of Vraja's prince, when will you cast Your merciful sidelong glace upon me?"

makhesvari! kriyesvari!
svadhesvari! suresvari!
triveda-bharatisvari!
pramana-sasanesvari!
ramesvari! ksamesvari!
pramoda-kananesvari!
vrajesvari! vrajadhipe!
sri-radhike namo 'stu te!

O queen of Vedic sacrifices, O queen of pious activities, O queen of the material world, O queen of the demigods, O queen of Vedic scholarship, O queen of knowledge, O queen of the goddesses of fortune, O queen of patience, O queen of Vrindavan, the forest of happiness, O queen of Vraja, O empress of Vraja, O Sri Radhika, obeisances to You!

Sri Radha-Kripa-Kataksa-Stava-Raja
(Spoken by Lord Siva in the
Urdhvamnaya-tantra)