Ashta-sakhis Appearance Day
Information – The beautiful larger than life size Sri Sri Radha Madhava, surrounded by Their Ashta-sakhis (eight principal gopi friends) — Sri Lalita, Sri Champakalata, Sri Chitra, Sri Tungavidya, Sri Vishaka, Sri Indulekha, Sri Rangadevi and Sri Sudevi.
Chitra Devi Appearance Day
On the eastern petal of Madana Sukhada Kuñja lies the multicolored Padma Kinjalka Kunja, where Sri Chitra resides. Chitra Devi possesses the abhisarika-nayika-bhava, has a beautiful saffron complexion, and wears a dress that resembles crystal. Chitra Sakhi is skilled in all activities due to her remarkable dexterity. She is an artist, and is also most talented in writing; expressing her heart’s feelings with hints and signs; speaking in languages of many different countries; as well as recognizing the qualities of dishes made of honey, milk and so forth by glancing just once upon them. She knows the scripture delineating astrology and is knowledgeable in how to protect and take care of animals and trees. She is especially skilled in preparing sherbets and other drinks amongst many other talents and services to the Divine Couple.
Ranga Devi & Sudevi Sakhi Appearance Day
Śrī Sudevī
Sudevī is gentle and charming, always remaining close to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. She decorates Rādhā’s hair with pearls and flowers, applies kajal to Her eyes, and anoints Her with fragrant perfumes. She also lovingly brings water to Rādhikā whenever She is thirsty. Fond of the creatures of Vṛndāvana, Sudevī especially cares for the birds. She trains the parrots to sing the Glories of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava and To carry messages between Them.
— Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa-ganoddeśa-dīpikā
Śrī Sudevī’s Kuñja – Vasanta-sukhada
On the north-western corner of Rādhā-kuṇḍa lies Śrī Sudevī’s kuñja, known as Vasanta-sukhada, the giver of joy to spring. Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Madhava lovingly feed the parrots with pomegranate seeds and grapes brought by Vṛndā-devī, offering the fruits with Their own hands. After showing mercy to the parrots, They enter the graceful pavilion of the kuñja, where Rādhā sits with Her sakhīs and Kṛṣṇa with His friends, joyfully playing dice together.
— Śrī Govinda-nāmṛta
Śrī Rāṅgadevī
Rāṅgadevī has a sweet and charming personality, full of playful gestures and captivating glances. She is irresistibly humorous and loves to joke with her dearest friend Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī in the presence of Kṛṣṇa. She carefully looks after the comfort of Rādhā-Mādhava, keeping Them cool in the summer by fanning with devotion. She also directs the sakhīs who paint Their limbs with fragrant flower designs made of candana.
— Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa-ganoddeśa-dīpikā
Indulekha Devi Appearance Day
Indulekha is the sixth of the varistha sakhis. Her complexion is bright yellow, and her attire is like the color of the bright red flowers of the pomegranate tree. Of the sakhis, she is appointed in making ornaments, making dresses, protecting the treasury, and entrusted to take care of all the enchanting places of Vrindavana.
Indulekha is the leader of the sakhis headed by Tungabhadra and of some of Sri Radha’s and Sri Krsna’s general messengers like Pālindhikā, who carry messages back and forth. She is the leader of the gopis who know about secret conversations.
A snake’s body is never straight; it is always curling. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa often stands in a three-curved posture, and He has bitten the gopīs with transcendental love. The damsels of Vraja, the gopīs, being attracted by the beauty of Kṛṣṇa, simply wanted to embrace Him and His arms, which are like serpents. Thus the gopīs ultimately tasted the nectar of the lotus feet of the
Champakalata Devi Appearance Day
Champakalata is well-versed in the culinary arts, possessing knowledge of the six flavors of fine cooking. Due to her mastery in creating delightful candies, she earned the affectionate nickname “Misthahasta”, which means “sweet hands”. In her golden kunja, is Champakalata’s famous kitchen with Radha-Madhava’s dining platform.
She is the leader of the gopis expert at making various preparations from the milk products of Vraja. To assist Champakalata Devi in her service to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, we would like to request the devotees to prepare bhoga offerings for the pleasure of Radha-Madhava and the Asta-sakhis.
Visakha Devi Appearance Day
Among the gopis of Braja, Sri Radha is the most beloved of Sri Krishna. She is the pinnacle of all sweet transcendental qualities and is the master of the 64 arts. Her lotus eyes has conquered all the beauty in the three worlds. Sri Radha is the embodiment of the highest maha-bhava. The love between Radha and Madhava is a festival of endless and unwavering bliss.
Sri Visakha was born at the exact same moment as her dearmost friend, Srimati Radharani. Among her many talents and services to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, Visakha Devi shows great expertise in creating rangoli designs and auspicious mandalas in multi-colours.
Tungavidya Devi Appearance Day
Tungavidya holds the post of acharya in the arts of music and dance. She is the leader of the gopis who sing, play musical instruments and dance. She has a recital hall in her kunja, where the gopis present these arts for Sri Sri Radha-Madhava.
In the same mood, to serve Tungavidya Devi, we would like to manifest her recital hall in the temple and perform offerings for the pleasure of Radha-Madhava and the Asta-sakhis.
Whose radiant complexion resembles the charming glow of red kuṅkuma powder tinted with divine camphor and sandalwood, Whose silken garments shine with the rays of soft yellow-white splendor, Who is honored everywhere as supremely wise and profoundly learned — O Rādhe! I worship Your beloved sakhī, Tuṅgavidyā. To the west of Rādhā-kuṇḍa lies a crimson grove named Tuṅgavidyānandada, which delights Tuṅgavidyā and is dearly cherished by Kṛṣṇa. The entire grove glows red: the trees, leaves, and flowers are all crimson, and red vines sway gently in the breeze. Red swings hang within, and the inner courtyards, pavilions, and platforms are paved with radiant red jewels, like rubies. — Sri Govinda Lilamrita
Lalita Sakhi Appearance Day
Of the eight main gopis, Lalita devi is the most important, being the leader and the controller. Lalita is famous as Srimati Radharani’s constant companion. She has a beautiful, bright yellow complexion and wears a dress the color of peacock feathers. Lalita Devi is full of ecstatic love for the Divine Couple.
Some of Lalita Devi’s special talents are that she is brilliant in composing and understanding riddles, unparalleled in fashioning things with flowers, expert in performing magic tricks and juggling.
Devotees will have the opportunity to offer flowers to Radha Madhava to celebrate the Sanji festival which Lalita Sakhi so sweetly arranged to unite the Divine Couple! We are also inviting all the children to craft hand fans to personally offer to Radha Madhava and the Asta Sakhis.
Lalita’s Secret Plan
It was Pitru Paksha, and Radharani was told She couldn’t leave home for fifteen days. Her heart sank at the thought of separation from Madhava. Seeing Radha’s distress, Lalita devised a clever plan: they would worship Sandhya Devi with Sanjhi—flower art. On Paurnamasi’s advice, Jatila finally agreed that Radha could go out to collect flowers. Lalita led Radha to a grove at Govardhan, Govinda-kunda, where the trees were bursting with blossoms—and where Madhava just “happened” to be resting, hidden among the trees.
As Radha picked flowers and gently filled Her basket, Madhava stirred and smiled, “Who dares steal flowers from My forest?” Lalita shot back, “Your forest? You’re a simple cowherd boy! How can you own a forest?” Their playful banter sparkled with charm and laughter. Turning toward Radha, Madhava teased, “Who is this gopi who won’t even look at Me?” “She’s the jewel of Braj, daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu,” Lalita said proudly. Each day, Radha gathered flowers, and each evening She and Her sakhis created beautiful Sanjhi designs. Madhava returned to admire them, enchanted by Radha’s artistry. And their joyful meetings continued throughout the festival.
