Radha Ashtami

Radha Ashtami falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Bhadrapada month in the Hindu calendar, which usually occurs in August or September. The festival holds great importance for devotees who revere Radha as the embodiment of pure devotion and love for Lord Krishna. In Mathura and Vrindavan, the celebrations commence several days before Radha Ashtami. Devotees decorate temples, homes, and streets with colourful flowers, lights, and festive decorations. Special puja (worship) rituals are performed to honour Radha, including the singing of devotional songs (bhajans) and recitation of hymns dedicated to her. The Banke Bihari Temple and the Radha Raman Temple in Vrindavan are particularly significant during Radha Ashtami. Devotees throng to these temples to offer prayers, seek blessings, and participate in various religious ceremonies and processions. The celebrations culminate on the day of Radha Ashtami. Devotees gather in temples to perform aarti (ritual of worship with lamps) and sing devotional songs in praise of Radha. Special feasts and prasad (sacred food offerings) are distributed among the devotees.