Radha Ashtami
Radhashtami is a special Hindu festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Srimati Radharani, the beloved consort of Lord Krishna. It falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the bright half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada. This year, Radhashtami will be celebrated on August 31, 2025.
Radhashtami is observed mainly in Raval, the birthplace of Radharani, and Barsana, where she spent her childhood. Devotees celebrate this sacred day with great devotion, singing bhajans, performing kirtans, and offering prayers to Radha and Krishna. Many devotees also keep a fast, believing that worshipping Radha-Krishna on this day washes away sins and brings divine blessings.
Over 5,000 years ago, when Lord Krishna appeared on Earth to perform His divine pastimes, Srimati Radharani also took birth in Raval. She is considered the Supreme Goddess, the most loving and devoted companion of Lord Krishna. It is often said, “Without Radha, Krishna has no meaning, and without Krishna, Radha has no meaning.”
Radha Ashtami 2025 Date
Radha Ashtami is celebrated 15 days after Krishna Janmashtami, on the eighth day (Ashtami Tithi) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Bhadrapada month. In 2025, Radha Ashtami will be observed on August 31st.
- Ashtami Tithi Begins – 10:46 PM on August 30, 2025
- Ashtami Tithi Ends – 12:57 AM on September 1, 2025
The Appearance of Radharani
It is said that one early morning, Vrishabhanu Maharaj, the father of Radharani, went to bathe in the Yamuna River. There, he saw a radiant lotus flower with a hundred petals floating on the water. In the center of the lotus lay a beautiful baby girl—Shrimati Radharani herself. Overwhelmed with joy, he carefully lifted the baby and brought her home, placing her in the lap of his wife, Kirtida Devi.
However, they noticed that their baby girl did not open her eyes, leading them to believe she might be blind.
Meanwhile, in Gokul, Mother Yashoda, the wife of Nanda Maharaj, heard about her best friend Kirti’s newborn daughter. She immediately came to visit, bringing her little son, Krishna, along. As Krishna crawled up to the baby’s cradle, He held onto its edge and peered inside. At that very moment, the baby’s eyes fluttered open, shining like blooming lotus petals. It seemed as though she had been waiting to see only one person—Lord Krishna Himself!
How to Celebrate Radhashtami
- Take a morning bath and wear clean clothes.
- Clean your home and puja area to prepare for the celebrations.
- Place Radha-Krishna idols on a wooden plank and bathe them in Panchamrit.
- Dress the deities in beautiful clothes, jewelry, and fresh flowers.
- Light a diya and offer bhog (prasad) such as fruits, sweets, and other delicacies.
- Chant Vedic mantras and hymns, especially the Radha Gayatri Mantra, for divine blessings.
- Break your fast in the evening after offering the bhog prasad to Goddess Radha.