Barsana’s Ladli temple saw grand celebrations for Radha Ashtami. Pilgrims flocked to the temple to pay their respects to Radha Rani. The deity was bathed with 51 quintals of milk, curd, honey, and other delicacies during the abhishek ceremony. This ritual took place in the early morning, known as Brahma Muhurta, with Vedic hymns chanted throughout.
Priest Ras Bihari Goswami revealed that the abhishek used a mixture of milk, curd, honey, khandsari, ghee, and eleven herbs. Afterward, Radha Rani was placed in a gold cradle for ‘aarti’ and ‘darshan’. The deity was adorned with clothes and jewelry valued at over Rs 31 lakh while devotees chanted ‘Radhe Radhe’. Hundreds of pilgrims performed ‘parikrama’ of Gahvar Van and sang holy chants. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Trigun Bishen reported no incidents despite the large crowd.
Radha Ashtami Festivities Extend to Vrindavan and Other Temples
Radha Ashtami was also marked at Radha Ballabh Temple in Vrindavan. Priest Mohit Maral Goshwami said that priests danced and chanted “Radha Pyari Ne Janam Liyo Hai” while celebrating with turmeric mixed curd. Similar rituals occurred at various temples including Rawal village, Dwarkadhish temple, Keshav Deo temple, and Chandrodaya temple in Vrindavan.
In preparation for the festival, Barsana town saw heightened security. District Magistrate Shailendra Singh noted that Barsana was divided into seven zones and sixteen sectors for better management. The security deployment included seven additional SPs, 34 circle officers, 78 inspectors, 290 sub-inspectors, 1,400 constables, 375 house guards, and two PAC companies. This effort aimed to ensure both security and smooth darshan for the pilgrims.
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