Radharani is the source of spiritual inspiration: Chanchalapati Das
Radhashtami Maha Mahotsav was celebrated with immense gaiety at Chandrodaya Mandir.
Flower Bungalow, 56 Bhog, electrical decoration, Mahabhishek, Harinama Sankirtana, became the center of attraction
Vrindavan. On Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Ashtami, the birth-festival of Srimati Radharani is celebrated with joy and gaiety throughout Braj. The devotees of Chandrodaya Mandir, also celebrated the appearance day of Srimati Radha Rani, the consort of Lord Shri Krishna’s and the presiding deity of Braj, with great fervor as Radhashtami Maha Mahotsav.
For the festival, devotees decorated the temple with beautiful flowers and Rangoli. Radhashtami Maha Mahotsav started with the sound of conch shell at Mangla Aarti, followed by Dhoop Aarti for Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra. Other sevas offered were nav poshak seva, Phool Bangla, Jhulan Utsav, Chappan Bhog and Akhand Harinam Sankirtan.
Radhashtami is the second major festival for Krishna devotees after Sri Krishna Janmashtami. On this auspicious occasion, Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra were adorned with embroidered silk clothes of pink and green color.
Also, a palanquin festival for the pleasure of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra was organized in the evening. After this, in the festival hall of the Chandrodaya Mandir, Mahabhishek for Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra was performed with Vedic chanting, Panchagavya (milk, curd, ghee, cow dung and cow urine), honey, sugar, juices of different types of fruits, various herbs and flowers.
While addressing the devotees on this holy occasion, Chandrodaya Mandir President Sri Chanchalapati Das said that one of the names of Srimati Radharani is Haripriya. That means She is very dear to Lord Sri Krishna. He added that if one wants to attain the devotion of Lord Sri Krishna, it is possible only by the grace of Srimati Radharani. He quoted from Srila Prabhupada’s lecture that if Radharani recommends a devotee to Lord Sri Krishna then Lord Krishna will definitely accept him very soon. He said that the devotees of Braj, chant the name of Radharani more than even Lord Sri Krishna because by Her grace, the absolute truth, Param Brahman, Lord Krishna becomes easy to understand.
On this special occasion of Radhashtami, devotees coming from other parts of India and abroad participated enthusiastically in Harinam Sankirtana and were seen dancing with enthusiasm. Devotees from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Agra and Faridabad also reached to participate in the festival.
