Tomorrow is Radhastami, perhaps the most important of all celebrations for the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, who cherish manjari-bhava, the heart's feeling of an identity as Radha's maidservant, as their all in all. We observe vrata, fasting as on Ekadasis; abhiseka, a bathing ceremony, takes place in the afternoon.

Remember Radha, call for the shelter of her feet; sing songs describing her birth, sing songs crying out for her service! Place a beautiful painting of her on a separate dais, worship her and drown her in streams of flowers, and bathe her with tears of love.

bhajAmi rAdhAm aravinda-netrAM
smarAmi rAdhAM madhura-smitAsyAm |
vadAmi rAdhAM karuNa-bharArdrAM
tato mamAnyAsti gatir na kApi ||


Some beautiful tidbits of reading for the occasion:

• Radhastami-lila and other narrations
• Radha's birth and early years

I would also like to attach an image of my Giridhari from last year's celebration:



~ Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe! ~