On the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadra, fifteen days after Janmashtami celebrations, the appearance day of Srimati Radharani was celebrated with utmost fervor in ISKCON Bangalore. The temple campus exuded brilliance and illuminated the spirit of festivity among all. The mula Deities of Sri Radha Krishna Chandra were adorned in brand new attire of beautiful white silk befitting royalty. Spectacular jewelry and garlands of exotic flowers brilliantly knitted added to the spiritual luminosity that Their Lordships exuded.

On the auspicious occasion commemorating the appearance of Srimati Radharani, the utsavar Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra received a splendid abhisheka. The elaborate abhisheka included massaging of the deities with sandalwood oil and white til paste after the Maha Sankalpa. Melodious kirtanas were being sung by devotees as the abhisheka proceeded. Several hundreds of devotees thronged to the main temple hall to witness The Deities being bathed with milk, curd, ghee and honey. Juice of varieties of fruits like muskmelon, apple, watermelon, pineapple, pomegranate, orange, sweet lime, papaya, grapes, papaya and others were also used to bathe Their Lordships. Sandal paste was smeared and the Deities were massaged before the curtains were drawn and the darshan was closed temporarily. As the darshan reopened, the glorious sight of Sri Radha Krishna-chandra smeared with turmeric paste blessed one and all present. Sri Krishnachnadra wore a garland of Tulasi leaves while Srimati Radharani wore a garland of Kanakambara flowers.

A variety of dhupas were offered to Their Lordships. After the dhupa arati, Their Lordships were bathed with sanctified water from 108 kalashas. This was followed by different varieties of flowers being showered for the pleasure of Sri Radha Krishna. Devotees then offered the vyanjana seva and chamara seva. After the abhisheka, songs extolling Srimati Radharani’s wonderful qualities and pastimes with Lord Krishna were sung.

Radhashtami is considered very auspicious and has great spiritual significance as devotees can receive darshan of the Lotus feet of Srimati Radharani only on this day.

Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Krishna appeared fifteen days after the birth of Lord Sri Krishna. She was found in a field by Maharaja Vrishabhanu, who along with his wife Kirtida Sundari, became her foster parents. All great authorities on devotional science (bhakti yoga) consider Her to be the greatest devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Her devotion is so exalted that even the self-satisfied Supreme Lord Krishna is intensely attracted to Her. Devotees try to follow Her footsteps in trying to please Lord Krishna. Krishna is considered Her property and only She can deliver Krishna to the sincere devotee. Thus devotees pray to Her fervently to bless them with Krishna bhakti.

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