By IANS,
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) : Chants of ‘Radhey Radhey’ echoed in the air early Monday as pilgrims and locals here celebrated Radhastami, the birth of Lord Krishna’s consort Radha.
The Krishna-Radha lore has inspired poets and musicians for centuries. The early morning celebrations began at Barsana, the birthplace of Radha, with thousands of devotees lining up at the Sri Ji temple.
Speaking to IANS, Ram Babu Sharma, a priest, said: “The festivities started Sunday with an evening of song and dance. This year, the weather being pleasant, we saw a large turnout, but the police arrangements were poor and pilgrims who had come from outside had a tough time.”
On Sunday evening, women from Barsana and nearby areas flocked the Ladli ji ka Mandir and sang songs in the local Braj dialect to the beats of drums and strains of harmonium.
A procession with Radha’s jhanki went around the town as foreign and local pilgrims showered rose petals.
Another temple across river Yamuna, with a holy pond which was said to have been filled with the tears of Radha when she got angry with Lord Krishna, also organised special prayers. In the Sewa Kunj grove, Lord Krishna and Radha are believed to have spent time together while indulging in their divine romance.
“Even today no one is allowed to stay inside the campus of the sprawling garden after sunset, so as not to disturb the celestial couple in their spiritual love,” said Acharya Jaimini, a musician.