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.
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.
