True devotees of Lord Krishna not only
celebrate Janamashtami with great fervor and vigor, but also religiously wait
for the celebrations of Radhashtami. Radhashtami, also known as the appearance
day of Srimati Radharani, is celebrated a fortnight after Sri Krishna
Janamashtami. Srimati Radharani is revered as the eternal partner of Lord
Krishna and is deeply worshipped. For the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnava
Sampradaya, Radhashtami is considered to be one of the most important
festivals. This year, ISKCON Bangalore celebrated Radhashtami on 21st
September. Present at the celebrations along with hundreds of devotees was Madhu
Pandit Dasa, chairman, Akshaya Patra Foundation.
Ancient scriptures read that with the mercy
of Srimati Radharani,
it becomes easier for one to approach Lord Krishna and enter into a
transcendental
By the mercy of Srimati Radharani, one can
easily approach Lord Krishna and enter into His transcendental association.
Their Lordships Sri Radha Krishnachandra were
gorgeously decorated and offered special services. 108 names of Srimati
Radharani were chanted whilst flowers were being offered during Pushpanjali Seva.
The deities were also served with 56 types of delicacies.
The evening gleamed in the grand
‘abhisheka’ and worship of Sri Radha Krishnachandra. Their Lordships were anointed
with white sesame paste and bathed with panchamrita, panchagavya, fruit juices
and herbal extracts. Then, a paste made up of sandal was applied on the idols
and the Deities were given a shower bath sieved through flowers, fruits and
jewelries placed on a plate.
Madhu Pandit Dasa was a part of these rituals and various sevas.
Following this was an elaborate Aarti
followed by kalashabhisheka with holy water from 108 kalashas while enchanting
Purusha Sukta prayers.
There was a video presentation on different
places of pilgrimage in and around Vrindavana and also excerpts from Srila
Prabhupada’s lectures on the glories of Srimati Radharani.
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