Radha Ashtami – 31st August 2025

Vernacular Names:

• North India: Radha Janmotsav
• Vrindavan & Barsana: Radhashtami Mahotsav
• Gaudiya Vaishnavism: Celebrated with day-long kirtans and fasting

Sacred Expressions:

• “Radhe Radhe!” – not just a greeting but a soul-invocation
• “Jayati Te’dhikam…” – from the Gopi Gita, glorifying Radha’s love

Astrological Significance:

• Radha Ashtami is observed when Ashtami tithi prevails during Madhyahna (midday)
• Especially auspicious if it falls on Sunday, as in 2025
• Ideal for those facing emotional imbalance, Venus dosha, or love-related karmic hurdles

Regional Practices:

• In Barsana, Radha is dressed as a queen and carried in a palanquin
• In ISKCON temples, fasting is observed until noon, followed by abhishekam
• In Mathura-Vrindavan, devotees walk barefoot from temple to temple, chanting Radhe Radhe

Early Morning:

• Bath in tulsi or rose water if possible
• Set up a Radha-Krishna altar: idols/pictures with fresh flowers (white, pink, lotus)
• Adorn Radha in red or white, symbolic of love and purity

Ritual Steps:

1. Sankalp: Express a desire for divine love, healing, and soul-union
2. Abhishekam of Radha Murti – with panchamrit, rose water, honey
3. Dress & Alankara – Radha is adorned with bangles, anklets, a nose ring, and a crown
4. Offer Bhog – Kheer, misri, paan, makhan, and lotus-flavoured sweets
5. Tulsi Archana – Offer 108 tulsi leaves while chanting Her names
6. Chanting of Radha Kripa Mantra
7. Aarti and Bhajan Samarpan – sing Radha’s glories with heart, not ritual alone

Radha Kripa Mantra:

“Om Vrindavaneshwari Radhayai Namah”

(Call upon the queen of Vrindavan to enter your life and guide your love)

Additional Mantras:

• “Om Radha Govindaya Namah”
• “Radhikayai Namah” – offered 108 times with tulsi or rose petals

Stotras & Bhajans:

• Radha Ashtakam – composed by Rupa Goswami
• Radha Chalisa

• Bhajans:

• “Radhe Radhe Japo Chale Aayenge Bihari”

• “Barsane Wali Shri Radhe”

• “Shri Radha Naam Ras Barse”

Who Should Perform:

• Those seeking marriage or healing from heartbreak
• Spiritual seekers wanting to move from ritual to rasa
• Anyone stuck in toxic cycles of craving and dissatisfaction

Remote Pooja Option:

Yes, for those away from temple towns or living abroad, Radha Ashtami Pooja can be performed in Vrindavan by purohits on your behalf.

Includes Radha Abhishek, Tulsi offering, Radha-Kripa mantra recitation, and bhog prasad dispatch.

Benefits:

• Heals the heart chakra and restores emotional balance
• Awakens devotional rasa — the taste of divine longing and fulfilment
• Clears karmas from past relationships, abandonment, betrayal, or unworthy love
• Invites Radha’s compassion, which melts even the hardest karmic knots

“It is said Krishna may delay, but Radha never ignores one who cries out in pure devotion.”