Mumbai: Radha Ashtami, marking the birth of Goddess Radha, is celebrated each year with great devotion on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Bhadrapada month. According to Hindu belief, Radha Rani was born in Barsana on this auspicious day. On Radha Ashtami, devotees witness grand rituals and ceremonial adornment of Radha Rani. This year, the festival falls on Sunday, 31 August 2025. The day holds special significance in Barsana, as it is the only occasion when devotees are blessed with the rare sight of Radha Rani’s sacred feet.
For the rest of the year, Radha Rani’s feet remain covered at the revered Shri Ji Temple in Barsana. Spiritual texts describe Radha Rani as the eternal consort of Lord Krishna and the divine embodiment of his blissful energy. Her feet are considered supremely sacred, bearing 19 divine symbols. Hindu devotees believe that a glimpse of these feet can cleanse the mind, dispel sorrows, and bring divine grace, making the darshan on Radha Ashtami especially powerful.
Radha Rani’s Feet Remain Covered All Year
Radha Rani is honoured as the queen of Vrindavan. About 43 km from Vrindavan, atop Brahmachal Hill in Barsana, lies the famous Shri Ji Temple where Radha Rani is worshipped in the form of Ladli Sarkar. Here, her feet are kept hidden throughout the year. Only once, during Radha Ashtami, are they revealed to devotees. Scriptures describe Radha’s feet as Krishna’s very life force, holding immense spiritual significance with 19 auspicious marks engraved upon them.
Why Are Radha Rani’s Feet Hidden?
According to religious tradition, Radha Rani is revered as the most confidential manifestation of divinity, embodying Lord Krishna’s inner spiritual energy. This is why her feet are not displayed for public darshan on ordinary days. Ancient texts state that Radha’s feet are among the rarest and most divine blessings in creation, unparalleled in purity and spiritual value. Hence, they remain concealed in Barsana’s Shri Ji Temple, revealed only on select occasions like Radha Ashtami or Amla Navami.
The Significance of Charan Darshan on Radha Ashtami
On Radha Ashtami, thousands of devotees queue at Barsana’s Shri Ji Temple to catch this once-a-year glimpse of Radha Rani’s sacred feet. It is believed that witnessing the charan darshan brings peace, removes fears, and uplifts the soul. According to tradition, even Lord Krishna himself longed to keep Radha’s feet in his heart. This rare darshan is thus considered a divine blessing that devotees cherish as one of the holiest experiences of their spiritual journey.