LALITHA SAKHI:RADHA-KRISHNA’S ASHTA SAKHI –

The  Puranas states that out of many thousands of gopis, sixteen thousand are predominant and among them  108 gopis are very close , eight are still more prominent Radharani and Candravalli are very  prominent  and  Srimathi Radharani is the most prominent. Because Radharani possesses all the charm and sweetness to attract Lord Krishna .

The Eight Gopis who are the foremost, dearest and most beloved friends of Shri  Shri Radharani  are  glorified  as Asta-sakhis  Gopis . Their names are Lalita, Visakha, Chitralekha, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi.

The Astha-sakhis display the zenith of spiritual love for Radha and Krishna. No one can equal or exceed the love they bear for the Divine Couple.

To increase the transcendental ecstasy of Radha and Krishna, the Parama-preshta Gopis show partiality; sometimes they favour Krishna, sometimes Radha. These Eight Gopis are the leaders of all the other gopis.

Although these Varishtha Gopis are the leaders of millions of other gopis, because they are very greedy to earn Radha’s love , they always prefer to serve under the command of Radha and try to please her in every way possible. These gopi friends decorate their own dear friend Srimati Radharani   and they take Radharani’s side whenever she has a lover’s quarrel with Lord Hari.

The introduction details can be read from this appended post linked below

LORD KRISHNA’S ASHTA SAKHI TEMPLES NEAR BARSAANA VRINDAVAN.. An Introduction

In most of the temples, in Braj bhoomi, we  have darshan of  Radharani  and  Lord Krishna being flanked by two sakhis, Lalitha and Visakha.  Among them, Lalithasakhi  is the  leader and chief  of all the Ashta sakhis.

She is the constant loyal companion and follower  of Radharani and always takes HER side. Her only desire is to serve RAdha and Krishna always , and Lord KRishna who is bound by bhakti alone, keeps her beside HIM.

Lallitha sakhi temple, Ooncha gaon— preparations for abhishekam

She is  elder to Radharani. But as per the prevailing custom, her appearance day is celebrated as “Lalitha Sashti” which occurs two days before Radhashtami.  She appeared at a place called  Karhela to Visokha and Sarada devi . Her parents later shifted to Ooncha gaon where there is a big temple dedicated to her. Ooncha gaon is 2 kms from  Barsaana.

Route:-   Barsana——Ooncha gaon(2kms)——Sunera(3 kms)——- Barsana

But as it was the appearance day of Lalitha sakhi, we were told that abhishekam would start at noon and hence we drove straight to Sunera which is 3 kms beyond Oonchagaon to have darshan of Sudevi and then returned to Ooncha gaon.  Lalitha sakhi’s temple is situated on a small hillock. The big hall in front of the altar was already crowded with devotees who unmindful of the scorching heat were immersed in bhajans.

To have the feel of the transcendental bliss , devotees  advise   we should first have the grace of Lalitha sakhi, then Giri Goverdhan and River Yamuna.  Lalitha sakhi is so merciful that she can read one’s mind longing for Krishna and voluntarily convince and compel Radharani and Krishna to grace the person  and ensures that the fallen souls attain Lords’ lotus feet.

 The great saint  Srila Rupa Goswami, one of the shat-goswamis of Vrindavan sought refuge at Lalitha sakhi’s lotus feet to enjoy the Madhurya rasam of Radha and Krishna.  The followers of Rupa Goswami, known as Rupanugas, first pray to Lalitha sakhi for her grace.

Lalitha sakhi is sharp witted and always immersed  in the pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

Lalitaji  appearance  in the village of Karhala where  Dadhi Daan (a ritual celebration of Sri Krishna’s appearance  involving the throwing of dahi mixed with turmeric) takes place every year. Karhala is considered the navel of Braj.

Her appearance day is celebrated grandly.  In fact, the appearance days of Radharani and ashta sakhis starts with Lalithaji’s appearance day only .

Our god-brother , H.G Shri.Rajagopalan ( Mouni baba) was kind to accompany us  to all the intricate places in Braj bhoomi and  offered all the paraphernalia  required for Lalitha sakhi devi’s abhishekam . We had handed over all the abhishkeam articles in the morning itself…

The temple premises was jam packed.  Despite the scorching heat, the assembled devotees were doing bhajan and few artistes were performing dance accompanied by songs in Braj language in front of the mandapam where the abhishekam ritual was to be held.

Myself and Sri.Rajagopalan were ushered inside and were allotted a place to sit  on the dias and watch the abhishekam.  It is a usual practice for everyone to  observe fast by not even taking water and were so engrossed in Krishna bhakti and were chanting loudly “Radhey Radhey” .

This made me realise and recollect  our poorvacharyars craving to be associated with  Braj bhoomi.  Parasara bhattar, the prominent Srivaishnava acharyar used to lament that he was not born in Braj bhoomi amidst these innocent gopis .  

Bhoomidevi who appeared as Kodhai(Andal) in Srivilliputtur and was brought up by Periazhwar imagined HER to be one of the gopis of Vraj and did paavai nombu.  Such is the greatness of Braj mandal.

 Every inch vibrates with Krishna bhakti.  One has to personally go there to have a feel of this.

Unlike South Indian tradition, these pujaris have a different way of performing abhishekam. It is usual practice in South Indian temples to place the dieties on the abhishekam table, offer shodasa upacharams, pour sanctified water, milk,curd,honey etc through conch and adorn the dieties with various garlands.  We use sahasradhaara plate to gently give shower to the dieties amidst chanting of pancha sukhtam.  But here, the custom is different.

At noon, Lalitha devi-the chief of ashta sakhis was  brought to the mandapam and a silver vessel was placed on a table .

These pujaris who have herditary right assembled together and one of them held the diety above the vessel.  A holed mud pot was  held above Lalitha sakhi’s head and through it the remaining priests start pouring milk,curd, honey, juice, ghee, butter etc simultaneously.

 All the people having hereditary rights were given a chance to pour these abhishekam items on her.  

This ritual took place for about 10 to 15 minutes after which the curtains are drawn and the deity was  taken inside for decoration.

 Later chappan bhog is offered to the diety and distributed amongst the devotees.

 Appended above are the video clips and pictures

Jai Jai Sree Radhey shyaam

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan