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Radhashtami 2026: Maha Abhishekam Set for 7 pm at Bhadaj

Hare Krishna Mandir Bhadaj to Observe Radhashtami on September 19

Hare Krishna Mandir in Bhadaj will observe Sri Radhashtami on Saturday, September 19, with special worship of Sri Sri Radha Madhav, devotional singing and a series of temple rituals throughout the day.

Radhashtami is observed on the eighth day of the bright fortnight, or Shukla Paksha Ashtami, in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. In the Vaishnava tradition, the day marks the appearance of Srimati Radharani, who is regarded as the eternal consort of Lord Sri Krishna. In 2026, Radhashtami falls 15 days after Krishna Janmashtami, which was observed on September 4.

The festival has a close connection with the religious traditions of the Braj region, particularly Barsana and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. Devotees regard Radharani as an important figure in the worship of Krishna and pray for devotion to him. Fasting until noon is also observed by devotees on Radhashtami.

At Hare Krishna Mandir, the celebrations will centre on the temple’s Sri Sri Radha Madhav deities. The temple plans to dress the deities in new robes and decorate the altar with flowers and ornaments. Devotees will also make special offerings during the day.

A major ritual is scheduled for 7 pm, when the utsav deities of Sri Sri Radha Madhav will receive a Maha Abhishekam. According to the temple’s programme, the ritual will include bathing the deities with milk, curd, ghee, honey and jaggery water, followed by fruit juices. The listed fruits include muskmelon, apple, watermelon, pineapple, pomegranate, orange, sweet lime, papaya and grapes.

The abhishekam will be followed by an arati, during which devotees will sing Radhikastava, a prayer associated with Srila Rupa Goswami. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON, also lists Sri Radhika-stava among the authorised devotional works used for special remembrance of Srimati Radharani on Radhashtami.

Another part of the evening programme will be the Kalasha Abhisheka. The temple says sanctified water from 108 kalashas will be used, with water collected from seven holy rivers. Devotees will recite the Purusha Sukta, a Vedic hymn, during the ceremony.

Flowers will also form a major part of the decoration and rituals. The temple has listed Juhi, jasmine, Rajanigandha, lily, Nagachampa, carnations, marigold and English roses among the flowers that will be used. According to the event note, flowers are being brought from different parts of the country.

Food offerings will take place at noon. The temple says 108 varieties of delicacies prepared by devotees will be offered to Sri Sri Radha Madhav as Rajbhog, followed by a grand arati.

The programme also includes a Palaki Utsav. During the ceremony, the Lord will be taken on a flower-decorated palaki, followed by Maha Arati. Devotees will sing songs praising Radharani, while kirtanas and bhajans composed by Vaishnava acharyas will form part of the day’s devotional programme.

Swamiji Jaganmohan Krishna Das, President, Hare Krishna Movement, Ahmedabad, said: “Radhashtami is the commemoration of the Divine appearance of Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Sri Krishna in the holy land of Barsana near Mathura. Radhashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha ashtami) in the month of Bhadra. It is a very significant festival for devotees, like Sri Krishna Janmashtami. Radharani is the mother of the entire universe, and on this auspicious day devotees pray to her to bless them with Krishna-bhakti. Hare Krishna Mandir is organising a grand celebration in its Temple at Bhadaj and inviting one and all to join in the celebrations throughout the day.”

The Hare Krishna Mandir in Bhadaj was inaugurated in April 2015 and is run by Hare Krishna Movement Ahmedabad. The temple is dedicated to Sri Sri Radha Madhav, along with other deities including Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Dev. It is located near Science City, opposite Ahmedabad Dental College.

The temple has become part of Ahmedabad’s religious and cultural calendar through its regular festivals and daily worship. The Ministry of Tourism’s Utsav platform lists the temple among places of religious interest in Ahmedabad and records regular aarti services during the day.

Radhashtami also comes at a busy time in the Vaishnava calendar. ISKCON centres around the world held Janmashtami celebrations on September 4 this year, marking the birth of Krishna. The organisation’s festival calendar describes festivals as an important part of its religious practice, with worship, kirtan, food offerings and other ceremonies forming part of major observances.

The 2026 date of September 19 is consistent with the Hindu lunar calendar. Panchang sources list the day as Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami, the lunar date associated with Radha Ashtami. The timing of the tithi and worship periods can differ by location because Hindu festival dates are calculated using local astronomical and lunar timings.

For visitors in Ahmedabad, the temple has announced darshan from 6.30 pm onwards for the Radhashtami programme. The venue is Hare Krishna Mandir, Bhadaj, opposite Ahmedabad Dental College, near Science City, Ahmedabad.

The main public programme will therefore take place in the evening, with the Maha Abhishekam scheduled for 7 pm. The day’s worship, food offering and devotional activities will precede the evening ceremonies.