Like every year the appearance day of Srimati Radharani is celebrated very enthusiastically by Her devotees. In our Gaudiya vaisnava sampradaya She is even given more importance than Sri Krishna, although He is Svayam Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of everything.

That is called lila-vicar, the point of view of the transcendental loving pastimes where Krishna in Vraja becomes subordinate to His devotees, especially Srimati Radharani, but also Yasoda Maiya and Nanda Baba, and His dearmost friends, like Sridama, Sudama, Subala and others. So although we all know that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead but in seva-bhava we have so much affection for Srimati Radharani that it seems to excel the bhava for Krishna. It is a very subtle point to consider.So when the devotees arrived for mangalaratrika they were delighted to see the wonderful flowerdecorations on the altar, on the Jagamohanmandapa (the place from where we take darshan of the Deities), in front of the temple till the main gate of the temple and in Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi. And a beautiful, new outfit had been offered to the Deities for the mangalaratrikadarshan. At 7.30am, the main darshantime, the new daydress, off-white colour, the Deities were wearing was giving pleasure to all the devotees. But what is most enlivening for the Devotees on that day is the darshan of Srimati Radharani’s lotusfeet. Because only on Radhastami it is possible to take that carandarshan.

This year in the morning and afternoon, whereas at other years only in the afternoon. And also for some devotees there is a special darshan added to thatiiii And how fortunate are the pujaris, who are able to take that darshan every dayiii. At 10.15am the abhishekam of Sri Sri Radhe-Shyam began. Also Sri Lalita and Sri Vishakha are bathed together with the divine couple since Radhastami is also the appearance day of Vishaka Devi and Lalita’s appearanceday was two days before.This wonderful event can not properly be described with words. It has to be beheld and appreciated with our own transcendental mind and senses, by being present there. But, dear devotees, just behold the beautiful pictures of the event and be happy. At 11.00am the wonderful offering of bhoga is offered to the Deities and at noon the Rajbhoga aratrika is offered. In the afternoon at 4.30pm the Deities gave darshan with a magnificent floweroutfit, made by our localdevotees. It was mindblowing for many devotees. See for yourself.

Also in the morning H.H. Mahanidhi Swami gave a very nice lecture about Srimati Radharani. Certainly hearing about Her and Her wonderful pastimes with Her associates, giving transcendental pleasure to Sri Krishna is very important.

In order to fully appreciate Sri Radhastami, dear devotees, just one time try to be here for that.

Hare Krishna.

Jay Sri Sri Radhe-Shyama, Jay Sri Radha.