Radha Ashtami: Radha's birthday and Barsana
About two weeks after Janmashtami comes Radha's birthday. A short note on Barsana and how people mark the day.
Updated 25 Oct 2026
Radha Ashtami falls about fifteen days after Janmashtami, on the bright eighth of Bhadrapada. Devotees keep it as the day Radha appeared.
People of Braj know Radha as the daughter of Barsana. Barsana is a short way from Vrindavan, and the Shriji temple on the hill is its best-known place. On Radha Ashtami many people travel there, there is music, and the temple is decorated.
In Vrindavan too you hear more of her name that day. "Radhe Radhe" is the usual greeting in Braj, and this is the festival that makes you notice it.
Keeping it at home
It does not need a big setup. Bathe in the morning, light a lamp before a picture of Radha and Krishna, offer flowers and something sweet, chant her name or listen to kirtan. Ask the elders in your family what has been done in your house, because families follow slightly different customs.
