Radha Ashtami celebrates the birth anniversary of Radha, the consort of Krishna. This year, the festival falls on August 26.
Significance
There are several versions that explain who Radha really was. While some say he was a manifestation of Vishnu's wife Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, others say that Radha was simply Krishna's conciousness. It is said that most likely Radha did not exist in a human form, but was in fact a manifestation of love and unflinching devotion towards Krishna.
In another version, it is said that Radha was born out of a lotus in a modern day Barsana district in Uttar Pradesh. According to legend, she did not open her eyes for many days after being born and only when Krishna came before her did she open her eyes.
Radha Ashtami is an important festival because of the immense love Radha and Krishna had for each other - even otherwise the two names are always taken together with Radha's name preceding that of Krishna.
Celebrations
The festival is celebrated with much fervour in Mathura/Vrindavan and Barsana, the hometowns of Radha Krishna. Some devotees keep a fast on this day, while others revel while listening to Radha Bhajan. Krishna and Radha temples are decked up and devotees throng in huge numbers to visit them.
Timings
Ashtami tithi will begin at 12:21 PM on August 25 and end on 10:39 AM on August 26.