Following the grand celebration of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, ISKCON Dwarka, one of the largest temples in the world, is set to host the vibrant Radhashtami festival with equal zeal. The festival, scheduled for 4 PM on Wednesday, 11th September at Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish Temple, promises to be a grand affair. The highlight of this year’s celebration will be the ‘Boat Festival’ or ‘Nauka Vihar Utsav,’ a special event dedicated to reenacting one of Lord Krishna’s favorite pastimes—boating with Shrimati Radharani.
The Boat Festival will see the temple’s sacred pond and boat, favored by Lord Krishna and Radha, adorned with colorful flowers and fragrant blooms. Balloons and other festive decorations will create an enchanting atmosphere, symbolizing the divine love between Radha and Krishna. Devotees can expect an awe-inspiring spectacle as the main deities of ISKCON Dwarka, Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish, are ceremoniously welcomed into a specially constructed pandal and seated on a beautifully decorated boat. The deities will then embark on the boating journey, recreating the divine pastime of ‘Mansi Ganga Leela.’
Lord Krishna is renowned for his countless Leelas, or divine pastimes, each filled with spiritual significance and joy. The ‘Nauka Vihar Leela’ holds a special place among these, as it represents the loving exchanges between Krishna, Radha, and the Gopis. According to the scriptures, Lord Krishna, who enjoys this Leela greatly, uses it to deepen the love and connection between himself and his devotees.
The Radhashtami celebration, especially the ‘Nauka Vihar Utsav,’ allows devotees to not only witness but also participate in this Leela. Shrimati Radharani and the Gopis, being Lord Krishna’s ardent devotees, represent pure, unconditional love for God. Understanding this Leela requires a divine perspective, as Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, emphasized. According to him, the forms of Radha and Krishna are a mystery to the material world; they are one soul, separated into two bodies to taste the essence of mutual divine love.
This divine spectacle gives devotees a unique opportunity to deepen their connection with Radha and Krishna through prayer, music, and celebration. The Boat Festival is expected to bring together thousands of devotees, creating an atmosphere of devotion, celebration, and spiritual fulfillment.
ISKCON Dwarka’s Radhashtami festival serves as a reminder of the eternal, loving bond between Radha and Krishna and invites all devotees to experience the joy of Krishna’s divine Leelas.
