Radha Ashtami 2024 Date and Shubh Tithi: Know the Significance and Puja Rituals of Hindu Festival That Celebrates the Birth of Goddess Radha

Radha Ashtami, also known as Radhashtami, is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Goddess Radha, the beloved consort of Lord Krishna. This auspicious day is observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Bhadrapada, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This year, Radha Ashtami will be observed on September 11 with great devotion and fervour. In this article, we will provide you with a detail of the Radha Ashtami 2024 date, significance, and puja rituals.

Radha Ashtami 2024 Date and Shubh Tithi

Radha Ashtami will be celebrated on September 11, 2024. The Ashtami tithi will begin on September 10 at 11:11 PM while the tithi will end on September 11 at 11:46 PM.

Radha Ashtami Significance

Radha Ashtami holds immense significance in Hinduism, particularly for devotees of Lord Krishna. Goddess Radha is considered the embodiment of pure love, devotion, and compassion. Her love for Lord Krishna is regarded as the epitome of selfless devotion (bhakti), and she is revered as the supreme devotee of Krishna.

The festival of Radha Ashtami is an occasion to celebrate the divine love between Radha and Krishna, which transcends the material world and symbolises the union of the soul with the supreme consciousness. It is believed that by worshipping Goddess Radha on this day, devotees can attain spiritual enlightenment and the blessings of both Radha and Krishna.

Radha Ashtami Puja Rituals

The Radha Ashtami celebrations are marked by various religious rituals and customs, which are performed with deep devotion. The key rituals include:

• Abhishek (Holy Bath) of Goddess Radha: On Radha Ashtami, the idol or image of Goddess Radha is bathed in Panchamrit, a sacred mixture of milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and sugar. This ritual is believed to purify the deity and invoke her blessings.
• Offering of Prasad: Devotees prepare special offerings, including sweets, fruits, and delicacies, to present to Goddess Radha. These offerings are later distributed as prasad among the devotees.
• Chanting and Bhajans: Devotees gather in temples and homes to sing bhajans and kirtans dedicated to Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna. The melodious chants create a divine atmosphere, enhancing the spiritual experience of the celebration.
• Fasting: Many devotees observe a fast on Radha Ashtami, refraining from consuming grains and salt. The fast is broken after the evening puja, which is performed with great reverence.
• Decoration of Temples: Temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna are beautifully decorated with flowers, lights, and rangoli on this day. The temples come alive with joyous celebrations, as devotees throng to seek the blessings of the divine couple.
• Radha-Krishna Leela: In some regions, the festival is marked by enactments of the divine love story of Radha and Krishna. These plays, known as Radha-Krishna Leela or Raas Leela, are performed by devotees, particularly in the Braj region, where Radha and Krishna's love is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Radha Ashtami is a festival that holds deep spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Krishna. It is a day dedicated to honouring Goddess Radha, her divine love for Krishna, and the ideals of devotion and spirituality that she represents. As devotees come together to celebrate Radha Ashtami on September 11, 2024, they immerse themselves in the love and grace of Radha-Krishna, seeking their blessings for a life filled with love, peace, and devotion.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2024 04:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).