Mathura, Sep 19 (PTI) The 5,254th birth anniversary of Goddess Radha was celebrated across Mathura on Saturday, with thousands of devotees queuing up outside major temples in the district.
The main celebrations were held at the Sri Radha Rani temple in Barsana and the Ladooji temple in Rawal, both considered key sites associated with the deity’s birth.
Saurav Goswami, a sewayat (priest) at the Barsana temple, said that since Radha Rani was born in the ‘Mool Nakshatra’, a ‘Mool Shanti’ ritual was performed at 2.00 am, followed by a ‘Mahabhishek’ and ‘Maha Aarti’.
The deity was later adorned in yellow attire, ornaments, and a crown for public darshan.
In the evening, the deity was brought down to a white-pillared pavilion for a special darshan. Brijesh Goswami, another temple priest, noted that this is one of only three occasions in the year when the deity blesses devotees from the pavilion. ‘Chappan Bhog’ (56 delicacies) and fruits were offered, and prasad was distributed to the public.
Radha Ashtami was also celebrated in Rawal, where a ‘Maha Abhishek’ was performed. In Rawal, the deity is depicted blessing devotees in a sitting baby pose.
Astrologer Keshav Acharya noted a difference of opinion in religious scriptures regarding the deity’s exact birthplace, with some texts pointing to Barsana and others to Rawal.
The day also marks the 489th anniversary of saint Swami Haridas’s arrival in Vrindavan from Aligarh at the age of 25.
To manage the massive congregation, the administration divided the area into seven zones and 20 sectors, enforcing a detailed traffic plan.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar reviewed the arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims. APL APL
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