Sri Radhashtami 2026 | The Appearance Day of Srimati Radharani | ISKCON Hare Krishna Hill

Sri Radhashtami, the divine appearance day of Srimati Radharani, Lord Krishna's divine consort, is celebrated every year on the Ashtami tithi (eighth day) of the Shukla paksha (bright fortnight) of Bhadrapada masa (Aug-Sept). Srimati Radharani is the hladini-shakti (internal pleasure potency) of Lord Krishna, the expansion of Krishna for His transcendental pleasure. The name “Radha” is derived from the Sanskrit word "aradhana", which means “worship.” She is Lord Krishna's greatest worshipper. The Garga-samhita explains that Srimati Radharani appeared around 5000 years ago in Raval as the daughter of Vrishabhanu Maharaja and his wife, Kirtida Devi. There is a temple at Raval dedicated to Srimati Radharani with a beautiful Deity of Her in a crawling baby form. Vrishabhanu Maharaja and Kirtida Devi had performed severe penances seeking a daughter and pleased Lord Brahma, who granted their desire. Once, while coming to bathe in the river Yamuna, Vrishabhanu Maharaja saw a brilliantly shining lotus with a baby girl. He took the baby girl home to the delight of Kirtida Devi. Lord Brahma appeared before the couple, revealing the baby girl's divine identity. To the couple's sadness, the baby girl did not open Her eyes despite their best efforts. The news spread that a divine baby girl had appeared to Vrishabhanu Maharaja and Kirtida Devi, and the nearby residents flocked to see Her. Nanda Maharaja, who lived nearby in Gokul, was a close friend of Vrishabhanu Maharaja and came along with Yashoda and baby Krishna. As Yashoda and Kirtida were talking to each other, Krishna silently crawled into Srimati Radharani's room and touched Her. Srimati Radharani immediately opened Her eyes to see Her Lord, Krishna. On this day, devotees observe a fast till noon and pray to Srimati Radharani to progress in their devotional service to Lord Krishna. The Archakas decorate the mula vigrahas of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra with a special alankara and offer a special homa. The utsava vigrahas are offered an abhisheka with pancha-gavya, panchamrita, fruit juices, herbal waters, and flowers, followed by an arati accompanied by the chanting of Vedic mantras and melodious bhajans on Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna composed by Vaishnava Acharyas. The festival concludes with a shayana arati and pallakki utsava for the utsava vigrahas of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra.