The birthday of Srimati Radharani is celebrated as Radha Ashtami throughout the country. Radha Ashtami is observed after 15 days of Janmashtami, which is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna.

Celebration-

On the day of Radhashtami, devotees are allowed special sanctions which are not allowed generally. Like, Radharani's name is usually not chanted due to the possibility of committing faults towards her. Neither people are allowed to enter into Radha Kunda, or Radharani's Pond, which is considered holy. On the day of Radhastami, people wait until midnight to bathe there. People chant her names on the ''appearance day'' or birthday of Sri Radha. Srimati Radharani is believed to ''appear'', being an eternal companion of Krishna, she does not take birth or die.

tapta-kāñcana-gaurāṅgi
rādhe vṛndāvaneśvari
vṛṣabhānu-sute devi
praṇamāmi hari-priye

Translation - I offer my respects to Rādhārāṇī, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vṛndāvana. You are the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, and You are very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Lord Kṛṣṇa enchants the world, but Śrī Rādhā enchants even Him. Therefore She is the Supreme Goddess of All.

Srimati Radharani, the purest of all, the most exalted and most beloved devotee of Shri Krishna.

One has to get the mercy of Srimati Radharani to get the mercy of Shri Krishna.

Her mercy is the only key to Krishna, His abode, His love and His mercy.

One has to serve and make Srimati Radharani happy to make Shri Krishna happy.

How important is Srimati Radharani to Shri Krishna?

There were around 108 gopis or cowherd women who were dear to Krishna, out of those 108 there were 8 gopis who were dearer than the other 100 gopis, out of those 8 gopis 2 were prominent and more dear to Krishna than the other 8 and at last out of that 2 gopis, Srimati Radharani was and is the most prominent, most exalted, most beloved and purest devotee of them all. That is Her Position.

Story Of Radharani’s Appearance-

The story is of when Nanda Baba and mother Yashoda lived in Nandgaon, and Vrishbhanu and mother Kirtida lived in Barsana. Both families were very close and intimate friends of each other. Both the couples were not blessed with a child at that time. So, Nandbaba and Maharaj vrishbhanu decided to settle at the bank of the holy river Yamuna. Yamuna Ji is very loving and kind. So, on staying close to her at the bank of river Yamuna, we will unquestionably be blessed with the child. So, in this way, Nandbaba got settled at the sacred land of Gokul and Maharaj Vrishabhanu at Rawal.

Later, Krishna appeared on Ashtami tithi of Bhadrapada month of Shukla Paksha. We celebrate that momentous day as Janmashtami. On Ashtami tithi of Bhadrapada month Vrishabhanu Maharaj went to take a dip at the pond during dawn which is known as Arunodaya Bela he noticed a dazzling light. That gratifying light was pleasing his eyes. When Sri Vrishabhanu went near that light, he saw those golden light rays coming from a glaring lotus. When he went close by, he noticed that the sparkling light was not coming from that bright golden lotus. It was coming from the utmost beautiful girl present inside it.

On watching that girl, Vrishabhanu Maharaj’s love strings were overflowing. Brahma Ji appeared at that time, and one prophecy occurred.

On account of this day of Sri Radha Ashtami, we can ask for the mercy of Srimati Radharani and should also try our best to serve Her.


Happy Radha Ashtami to all.