The Radha Ashtami 2024 is the most important festival for the devotees of Radha Rani. In this article, we will discuss everything about the Radha Ashtami.
The Radha Ashtami is celebrated all over India as it is one of the biggest festivals for the Radha Krishan devotees. Devotees celebrate this festival with great pleasure at a considerable level.
Radha Rani Ji is the favourite Goddess of almost all the Brajwasi (the people of the Braj area, mainly Mathura, Vrindavan, and Varsana ). Every Brajwasi and other devotees of Radha Rani eagerly wait for this festival every year.
People believe that Radha Rani is a reincarnation of Goddess Laxmi( Wife of Lord Vishnu). The Radha Rani holds an essential place in the hearts of many devotees. The devotee’s love for Radha Rani is Immeasurable.
This article will discuss the date, timing, Puja Vidhi, and significance of Radha Ashtami.
What is Radha Ashtami?
The Radha Ashtami is celebrated as the birth anniversary, the day the Goddess Radha Rani was born on earth. It was the eighth day of Shukla Paksha, the month of Bhadrapada, which falls in August and September, the day when Radha Rani.
The Radha Ashatmi falls exactly after the 15 days of Krishna Janmashtami. It is said and written in the Skanda Purana that King Vrishbhanu and his wife Keerti are a couple who do not have any children after many years of marriage.
Once, Vrishbhanu found Radh Rani lying on a leaf of a lotus flower near Varsana’s pond. Vrishbhanu took Radha Rani to his home and both Vrishbhanu and his wife Keerti decided to adopt baby Radha Rani. That day was considered Radha Rani’s birthday.
It is said that baby Radha Rani did not open her eyes till Baby Shree Krishna came in front of her. The first thing Radha Rani saw in the world was the face of Lord Shree Krishna.
When is Radha Ashtami 2024?
When we convert the date of Radha Ashtami from the traditional Hindu calendar, the Panchang to the current world calendar and the Gregorian calendar we find the date of Radha Ashtami is Wednesday, 11 September 2024
The Radha Ashtami falls just after the 15 days of the Krishna Janmashtami celebration.
Timing of the Radha Ashtami 2024:
According to the Hindu traditional calendar, the Panchang, Radha Ashtami will start at 11:10 pm on the 10 September 2024 and end at 11:46 pm on the 11 September 2024. Devotees should do the fasting on this festival for a long and joyful life.
The Pooja and Arti timing can be different for different states regions and areas.
People generally perform the Radha Ashtami pooja and Arti at noon.
Pooja and Arti Vidhi on Radha Ashtami:
On the sacred day of Radha Ashatmi, the devotees fast for the whole day. They clean and decorate the pooja place. After having a bath, you can wash and bathe the idol of Radha Rani with Panchamrit, which is made of five elements: yoghurt, milk, ghee, honey, and sugar.
After cleaning the idol, change the old clothes and replace them with new ones. The new clothes of Radha Rani should be shiny and colourful.
You can offer dhoop, lotus flowers, Roli, kumkum, Shringaar, etc for worship and fruits, a variety of dishes, and sweets for Bhog to idols.
According to the old scripture Puran, Radha Rani should be worshipped along with Shree Krishna. It is also suggested that Radha Rani be worshipped at noon ( Madhyahna Kala), as the local devotees say and do.
After the Pooja and Arti, the devotees do nach-kirtan, and then prasad is distributed among them.
Significance of Radha Ashtami:
The Radha Ashtami is one of the biggest festivals for Radha Krishna devotees. According to old Hindu scriptures, Radha Rani and Krishna are two bodies and one soul.
It is said that if you worship Lord Krishna, you should also worship Radha Rani; otherwise, your wishes will not be fulfilled. If you Worship Radha Krishna with the same love and devotion, Lord Krishna will fulfil all your desires and wishes.
As Radha Rani’s name comes first from Lord Krishna, it is good to worship Radha Rani before Lord Krishna, this is what Lord Krishna wants. Lord Krishna is incomplete without Radha Rani, so their ”Radhey-Krishna” name is chanted together.
Devotees who worship Radha Rani with pure hearts will always receive the blessing of Lord Krishna, and their lives will be filled with joy and happiness.
Fasting on Radha Ashtami:
Fasting on the auspicious day of Radha Ashtami is considered the best way to receive the blessing of Radhey-Krishna. Many devotees fast on this day to bring joy and prosperity into their lives.
On this day, devotees wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and offer water to the sun. then they wear new or clean clothes and perform Radha Rani Pooja and Arti then do fasting the whole day.
What can we eat during the fasting:
During their fast, devotees can eat many food items. The main rule of fasting for Radha Asthtami is that one should not eat Tamsik food like alcohol, onion, garlic, and non-veg and should also avoid anger and arguments.
The devotees can eat fruits, vegetables, curd, dates, nuts, etc. Remember that devotees should be empty while performing the morning prayers of Radha Ashtami. After Pooja, you can eat the above-mentioned items.
It is not necessary to fast as all the people near you are doing; only one who has devotion and love for Radha-Krishna should fast on Radha Ashtami.
Radha Ashtami Home Celebration:
Devotees outside India or those who have no temple near their houses can perform the Radha Ashtami at home, which is relatively straightforward.
For such auspicious days, the devotees should get up early in the morning take a bath early, and then clean the area for pooja. Devotees can wear new clothes or just clean clothes for the Pooja and Arti.
After cleaning the pooja area, you have to clean the idol of Radha—Krishna with Panchamrit, which consists of five elements: milk, yoghurt, ghee, jaggery, and honey. Then, you have to clean the idol with pure water and a clean white cloth.
Then you should perform the morning Pooja and Arti of Radha-Krishna’s idol. Chant the Radha Gayatri Mantra during the prayer. After Pooja, distribute the Prashadam to all your family members and neighbours.
You should perform the Radha Ashtami Pooja and rituals at noon as suggested in Scripture at noon with Radha GaytriMantra and Arti and share the Bhog and Prasad with your family and neighbours.
The Radha Ashtami celebration in Mathura:
Mathura-Vrindavan is the area of Braj where Radha Rani and Lord Krishan were born and spent most of their lives. The people of the Braj area are the true devotees of Radha-Krishna.
The Braj( Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, etc ) area has many sacred temples of Radha-Krishan.
The people of Braj celebrate the Radha Ashatmi in the ultimate form. They celebrate Radha Rani’s birthday with great pomp and show of Radha Rani with great joy and passion.
On the day of Radha Ashtami, the whole city is decorated with flowers and lights. The celebration is huge.
People dance and kirtan the whole day and share sweets on this auspicious day.
The celebration of Radha Ashtami goes for a whole with below things:
1. Rasleela:
The Ras Leela is a dance with storytelling in music that is performed by Radha-Krishna in the Brij Mandal.
In Ras Leela the people of Braj perform an act, telling the story of Radha-Krishna on a big stage in front of a large audience with dance and singing.
Many people gather to watch the Raslila of Radha-Krishna, which performers generally do at night after performing the pooja of Radha-Krishna.
2. Dance and Kirtan:
People dance and kirtan to celebrate the Radha Ashtami with great excitement. People of every age, whether old or young, dance to the dhol and Bhakti songs.
Mantras and Arti for Radha Ashtami:
Devotees chant Mantras during the Pooja and Arti of Radha Rani and Krishna. If you do not know any Mantras for this day, we have mentioned the Radha Ashtami Mantra and Arti below:
Radha Ashtami Mantra:
!! Om Vrashbhanujaye Vidmahe !! !! Krishnapriyaye Dhimahi !! !! Tanno Radha Prachodayat !!
वृषभानुज्यै विधमहे !! !! कृष्णप्रियायै धीमहि !! !! तन्नो राधा प्रचोदयात !!
Radha Ashtami Aarti:
आरती श्री वृषभानुसुता की |मंजु मूर्ति मोहन ममताकी || टेक ||
aarati shri vrshabhaanusuta ki | manju moorti mohan mamataaki || tek ||
त्रिविध तापयुत संसृति नाशिनि,विमल विवेकविराग विकासिनि |
trividh taapayut sansrti naashini,vimal vivekaviraag vikaasini |
पावन प्रभु पद प्रीति प्रकाशिनि,सुन्दरतम छवि सुन्दरता की ||
paavan prabhu pad preeti prakaashini,sundaratam chhavi sundarata ki ||
मुनि मन मोहन मोहन मोहनि,मधुर मनोहर मूरती सोहनि |
अविरलप्रेम अमिय रस दोहनि,प्रिय अति सदा सखी ललिताकी ||
muni man mohan mohan mohani,madhur manohar moorati sohani |
aviralaprem amiy ras dohani,priy ati sada sakhee lalitaaki ||
संतत सेव्य सत मुनि जनकी,आकर अमित दिव्यगुन गनकी,
आकर्षिणी कृष्ण तन मनकी,अति अमूल्य सम्पति समता की ||
sant seva sat muni jaanakee, aao aur amit divyagun gunaki,
akshishani krshn tan manakee, ati amooly sampati samata ki ||
कृष्णात्मिका, कृषण सहचारिणि,चिन्मयवृन्दा विपिन विहारिणि |
जगज्जननि जग दुःखनिवारिणि,आदि अनादिशक्ति विभुताकी ||
krshnaatmika, krshan sahachaarini, chinmayavrnda vipin vihaarini |
jagajjanani jag duhkhanivaarini, aadi anaadishy vibhutaaki ||
Benefits of Celebrating Radha Ashtami:
There are several benefits of celebrating the Radha Ashtami. The Radha Ashtami 2024 is the birth anniversary of Radha Rani. The day when Radha Rani was born on Earth is considered the best day for fasting and worshipping Radha Rani.
As people say, if you worship Radha Rani, Lord Krishna will be pleased with you, as Radha Rani was his beloved and soulmate. So, if you fast and Worship Radha Rani on this day with a pure heart, Lord Krishna will bless you and your family with happiness and joy.
Fasting on Radha Ashtami helps purify your soul by removing your sins from your body, and chanting Mantras helps to calm and peaceful your mind.
The scientific benefit of fasting for the human body is that it can prevent many dangerous diseases. Fasting also helps to improve digestion and lose weight.
Conclusion:
The Radha Ashtami 2024 is considered one of the most important festivals for Hindus. The devotees celebrate Radha Ashtami with great pomp and show. The Radha Ashtami is the birth anniversary of Radha Rani, the day when Radha Rani was born.
Radha Rani and Lord Krishna are connected with a divine connection. They are the best couples and lovers today, and their love stories are still relevant for new generations.
People fast and pray to Radha-Krishna for happiness and wealth in their life. The people of Braj Celebrate the Radha Ashtami with great pleasure and passion. Ras Leela, dance, and kirtan are performed during the night of Radha Ashtami.
Devotees Chant Mantras during the Puja and Arti. After that, the Prasad is distributed among the devotees. They also perform dance and kirtan at night.
Devotees can also celebrate Radha Ashtami at home by following the given instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Radha Ashtami is on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Radha Ashtami is Radha Rani's birth anniversary, and it is celebrated to receive blessings and prosperity in life.
Radha Ashtami will start at 11:10 pm on 10 September 2024 and end at 11:46 pm on 11 September 2024.
Panchamrit is a sacred liquid used to clean and bathe the idols of Radha-Krishna, which is made of five elements: milk, yogurt, ghee, jaggery, and honey.
Radha Ashtami Mantra is the Mantra (sacred utterance) chanted during the Radha Ashtami Pooja. It is important to please Radha Rani by continuously repeating it multiple times.