‘Radharani ki jaya, Maharani ki jaya..... Radharani ki jaya, Maharani ki jaya.....’ How gently the chant filled the temple room on Radhastami, creating waves of sweetness. Everyone felt the gentle, tender hearted Srimati Radharani’s mercy in the core of their hearts. The mood was distinctly feminine, so different to Janmastami with all its exuberance.

As usual when the curtains open on festivals for Darshan arati, little ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ can be heard.  Of course, Radhastami was no exception. The deep apricot hued outfits with their red and gold trim, dazzling jewels and elegant garlands were the reason for the gasps of delight. In the middle of all this splendour, surrounded by her girl friends and that mischievous little black Boy, stood a girl so enchanting, radiant and captivating that a mere glimpse of her melted the hearts of all those assembled. In Her honour, devotees and guests sang and danced in total bliss for about 2 hours completely absorbed in Her sweet mood, meditating on her transcendental qualities.

Even though Krishna possesses 64 transcendental qualities, Srimati Radharani can control even Krishna with her 25 transcendental qualities. That is because:

1.       She is sweetness personified.

2.       She is a fresh young girl.

3.       Her eyes are always moving.

4.       She is always brightly smiling.

5.       She possesses all auspicious marks on her body.

6.       She can agitate Krishna by the flavour or her person.

7.       She is expert in the art of singing.

8.       She can speak very nicely and sweetly.

9.       She is expert in presenting feminine attractions.

10.   She is modest and gentle.

11.   She is always very merciful.

12.   She is transcendentally cunning.

13.   She knows how to dress nicely.

14.   She is always shy.

15.   She is always respectful.

16.   She is always patient.

17.   She is very grave.

18.   She is enjoyed by Krishna.

19.   She is always situated on the highest devotional platform.

20.   She is the abode of love of the residents of Gokula.

21.   She can give shelter to all kinds of devotees.

22.    She is always affectionate to superiors and inferiors.

23.   She is always obliged by the dealings of Her associates.

24.   She is the greatest amongst Krishna’s girl friends.

25.   She always keeps Krishna under her control.

Later during abishek and arati the gentle mood continued. Sweet kirtan accompanied Her transcendental bathing ceremony and afterwards the rich charnamrta was distributed to many joyful guests. Dozens of Maha preps in little earthenware bowls as well as exquisitely decorated cakes were offered in celebration of Her divine appearance. Of course, no festival would be complete without a feast and hundreds of guests happily lined up around the Temple room to partake in the sumptuous Srimati Radharani Prasad – the mercy of the queen of Vraja.