Radhashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha ashtami) in the month of Bhadra (August – September). It is a very significant festival for the devotees. Radharani is the mother of the entire universe and on this auspicious day devotees pray to Her to bless them with Krishna-bhakti.
On this auspicious occasion the Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra are adorned with a new dress. The altar is decorated with brilliant, colorful flowers which spread their fragrance everywhere.
In the evening, the utsava Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra receive a splendid abhisheka. Devotees perform kirtanas and glorify Srimati Radharani by singing wonderful songs composed by Vaishnava Acharyas. Hundreds of devotees visit the temple to witness the celebrations. The Deities are bathed with milk, curd, ghee, honey and jaggery water followed by juices from varieties of fruits like muskmelon, apple, watermelon, pineapple, pomegranate, orange, sweet lime, papaya, grapes, etc. An elaborate arati is performed as the devotees sing Sri Radhikastava. After the arati, the Deities are bathed with sanctified water from 108 kalashas. This is followed by the showering of different varieties of flowers. After the abhisheka, chappan bhog (56 varieties of delicacies prepared by devotees) is offered to Sri Radha Krishnachandra.
The celebrations conclude with a grand shayana arati. Devotees sing Radhikastaka, a special song composed by Srila Rupa Gosvami. The shayana arati is followed by a grand pallakki utsava.
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