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Goddess Radha is a well-known deity in Hindu Mythology. She is also known as Radharani in the northern part of India. For her deep devotion towards Krishna, Radha is usually depicted with Krishna. Radha is sometimes considered as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu.

Radha- the Embodiment of Love
The love story of Radha-Krishna has become a legend in the Hindu mythology. The story is believed to have taken place in the Dwapar Yuga, when both of them took birth in this world. Radha was a cowherdess, who through her beauty and charm captivated the heart of Lord Krishna and became his beloved goddess. Lord Krishna is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, whose birth was predestined.

Krishna took avatar in order to slay the demon king Kansa and to spread happiness. During his life, Krishna met Radha and they fell in love with each other. Krishna had a motive behind his life i.e. to kill Kansa and to fulfill this mission; he had to face many problems. But, Radha with her intense affection and steady devotion helped Krishna to overcome the problems.

Radha – Devotee of Krishna
Radha represents the true devotee, both in the form of male and female. And Lord Krishna represents the divine. Intense love of Radha for Krishna symbolizes each devotee’s passionate longing for ultimate unification with God. With her utmost devotion towards her lord, she became the supreme devotee of Lord Krishna. Today people remember Radha-Krishna in a single term. However, Radha was not the consort of Lord Krishna, but their love had united them for ever. Radha is an inescapable part of Krishna. Without Radha, Krishna doesn’t mean anything and without Krishna, Radha is nothing.

Radha – The Goddess
Radha has attained the status of goddess in the Hindu Religion. Radha’s immense love and dedication towards lord Krishna got her this position, which she truly deserves. Radha is the heavenly queen of Krishna’s celestial world. Today, Radha is worshipped like any other goddesses in temples.

Radha Gayatri Mantra
Aum Vrashbhanujaye Vidmahe
Krishnapriyaye Dheemahi
Tanno Radha Prachodayat

Legends
The legends of Radha-Krishna have become immortal. There are numerous legends and stories of Radha and Krishna depicting their true love. Radha’s devotion and dedication towards Sri Krishna is the most sincere one. Here are some legends of Radha-Krishna portraying their love for each other.

Radha Ashtami
Birthday of Radha is celebrated as Radhaashtami throughout the country and especially in the north, with full devotion and joy. Radha Ashtami is observed after 15 days of Janmashtami, which is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. Radharani’s birthday is the sacred eighth day of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September).

The legends of Radha-Krishna have become immortal. There are numerous legends and stories of Radha and Krishna depicting their true love. Radha’s devotion and dedication towards Sri Krishna is the most sincere one. Here are some legends of Radha-Krishna portraying their love for each other.

Legend of Hot Milk
This is one interesting story showing the eternal relation of Radha and Krishna. Radha was not married to Lord Krishna. The immeasurable love of Krishna for Radha made Krishna’s wives jealous of Radha. Once, they all planned a mischief to make Radha suffer. They set out a bowl of burning hot milk. They gave the bowl to Radha, saying that Krishna had sent it for her. Radha readily drank the hot milk.

When the wives returned to Krishna, they found him full of painful ulcers. This shows that Krishna resides in every pore of Radha i.e. why the hot milk didn’t touch Radha, but it affected Krishna. He took all her pain and miseries upon himself.

Legend of Charanaamrit
This is another sweet story depicting the intense love between Radha and Krishna. Once, Sri Krishna got very ill. Krishna asked that he would be alright if, he would get the Charanaamrit of a true devotee. All the Gopis were asked but none of them offered. They were afraid of committing a serious offense, by offering the water with which they had washed their feet to Sri Krishna.

When Radha came to know about the situation, she said: “Take as much as you like. What does it matter if I have to go to hell as long as my Lord is released of His pain and ailment”! Radha offered the Charanaamrit with true heart. It is due to this fact; it is believed that Radha could not marry Lord Krishna. Radha loved Krishna from the core of her heart but still she offered Charanaamrit to Krishna to save him from his sickness.

Radha and Krishna were celestial beings and their love was eternal. Whether they were married or not, their love made them united for ever.

Birthday of Radha is celebrated as Radhaashtami throughout the country and especially in the north, with full devotion and joy. Radha Ashtami is observed after 15 days of Janmashtami, which is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. Radharani’s birthday is the sacred eighth day of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). Sri Radha was born in Barsana, suburb of Mathura and appeared as the daughter of Vrishabhanu and Kirti.

Celebration
On the day of Radhaashtami, devotees are allowed special sanctions which are not allowed generally. Like, Radharani’s name is usually not chanted due to the possibility of committing faults towards her. Neither people are allowed to enter into Radha Kunda, or Radharani’s Pond, which is considered holy. On the day of Radhastami, people wait until midnight in order to bathe there. People chant her names on the ”appearance day” or birthday of Sri Radha. Radharani is believed to ”appear”, being an eternal companion of Krishna, she does not take birth or die.

Radhastami- A Belief
Sri Radha was older to Lord Krishna and it is believed that the divine girl did not open her eyes until Sri Krishna was born. The relationship of Sri Krishna and Radha surpasses human concepts and is spiritual in nature. It is redundant to affirm that one may attain Krishna only through the Grace of Radha.