The day is very special for all devotees of Lord Krishna, but devotees following Gaudiya-Vaisnavism consider this day to be even more important than Janamashtami, the appearance day of Lord Krishna.
The scriptures say that Goddess Radha is even more merciful than Lord Krishna Himself, and she makes it so easy that devotees don’t have to observe any fast on this day (though some devotees prefer to observe fasting till mid-day). Abhishek or ritualistic bathing ceremony of the deity of Goddess Radha is done and then the bathing water, called caranamrita in Sanskrit, is then distributed amongst the devotees. Several kinds of food preparations are made and offered to the deities of Radha and Krishna and the remnants or prasadam is then distributed.
Devotees read from various scriptures about the pastimes of Lord Krishna and Radha and pray to Goddess Radha to help them see Lord Krishna face to face. Radha is said to be the internal energy of Lord Krishna and it is widely believed that it is not possible to attain Lord Krishna’s mercy without having obtained the mercy of Goddess Radha first. Radha is considered to be the topmost devotee of Lord Krishna and by Her devotion to Him, She has completely controlled Lord Krishna.
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