Radhashtami is a holy day for Hindus. Krishna Priya Radhaji was born on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. Therefore this day is celebrated as Radhashtami. The sacrificial fire of Shri Radhaji Vrishabhanu was revealed from the land. Sri Radha is considered to be the incarnation of Lakshmi. It is mainly celebrated by Krishna devotees. The festival of Radhashtami is celebrated with great pomp in all its temples by the ISKCON organization. In Barsana, which is the birthplace of Sri Radha, Radhashtami is especially celebrated. Radha was the most beloved of Lord Krishna. It is said that the worship of Lord Krishna is considered incomplete without worshiping Shri Radha.
Sri Vrindavaneshwari Radha always brings joy to Shri Krishna in Vedas and Puranadi, which is praised as ‘Krishna Vallabha’.
Legend
Radha was born or rather believed to be found lying on a lotus leaf in a pond of Barsana. She was picked up from there and brought up by a couple Vrishbhanu and Keerti.
It is believed that the divine girl did not open her eyes till Sri Krishna was born. Hence the divine love of Sri Radha and Krishna surpasses all human concepts and is spiritually significant.
Hindu scriptures describe Radha as Lord Krishna’s spiritual energy. It is said that whenever the Lord takes an incarnation, His spiritual energy is born in a female form. Hence one can attain the grace of Lord Krishna only by worshipping His spiritual energy, Radha.
Significance
Radha Ashtami is a vital festival for all the Krishna devotees. Devotees observe a fast on this day in the honour of Radha Rani.
The idol of Radha is cleaned with milk and then decorated. The idol is offered various sweets and ‘aarti’ is performed along with singing bhajans and devotional songs.
It is believed that if one observes fast on Radha Ashtami and worships the Goddess with the utmost devotion, the person is freed from all his/her sins. The person attains spiritual bliss which gives him/her immense peace and satisfaction. The mind of the person is cleared from all the bad and negative thoughts which gives him/her the much desired mental and spiritual satisfaction.
Radha Ashtami is a huge festival for the people of Vrindavan and the adjacent areas. On normal days, people are not allowed to chant Radha’s name or dip in the holy Radha Kund because it is considered as disrespectful for the Goddess. However on the day of Radha Ashtami, the devotees can take a dip in the pond and chant Her name after midnight. So, every year people gather in large numbers on this day to take bath in the Radha Kund and get blessed by Radha Rani. Devotional songs such as the bhajan and kirtan are sung throughout the day in honour of the deity.
Hence, Radha Ashtami holds a special spiritual significance for all those who believe in Lord Krishna and His spiritual love for Radha.
Radhashtami Celebrations Across India
On this occasion, Hindus decorate the idols of Shri Radha and Lord Krishna with a new dress and fresh flowers. Also, the temple is decorated with bright, colourful flowers that spread their fragrance everywhere. Devotees listen to the devotional songs composed by Vaishnava gurus and sing the glory of Sri Radharani. Thousands of devotees gather at the Shri Krishna temple to get a glimpse of Lord Krishna and Radhaji. Devotees pour holy water on the idols and offer milk, curd, ghee, honey, and jaggery.
They also keep juices of fruits like musk, apple, watermelon, pineapple, pomegranate, orange, sweet lime, papaya, grapes etc. at the feet of idols. Later, they conclude the puja after performing aarti and showering flowers on them. Devotees and saints prepare Chappan Bhog for Hindu deities in the well-known temples of India and seek divine blessings from them.

• Radhastami Puja Vidhi
• Start the fresh day with a positive mental state.
• Take a bath with the water mixed with Gangajal in order to purify yourself.
• Place the idol of Radha on your puja altar and worship it at 12 noon.
• Recite the vrat Katha for Radhaashtami, then the Radha Stuti and Radha Chalisa.
• Sing bhajans and light an oil lamp in the evening to invoke the deity.
• Make an aarti and a bhog offering to the deity.
• Feed brahmins and married women the next day.
• Later, eat prasad to break the fast.

Benefits of Celebrating Radha Ashtami
On this auspicious day, worshiping Lord Krishna and the goddess Radha brings harmony and tranquility into one’s life.
Reciting the Radha Gayatri mantra and participating in Aarti may make it simpler for them to overcome obstacles in life, accomplish their worldly objectives, and attain salvation.
Fasting on Radha Ashtami is a tradition that helps people purge their past transgressions. According to ancient texts, followers may only be able to satisfy Shri Krishna if Shri Radha is adored.
Therefore, worshiping Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha on the day of Bhadrapada’s Asthami has immense significance.
Sage Narada has explained the importance of worshipping goddess Radha with Shri Krishna using Hindu mythology as his source.
Since Lord Sri Krishna lives underneath Goddess Radha, she serves as the ruling goddess over his life. Therefore, on this day of Ashtami, Vaishnavas offer the utmost homage to the Hindu deities.