Radhamashtami 2011

This year like with Janmashtami, I spent Radhamashtami in Toronto Ontario. Both were very nice. I loved how the Deities were dressed. I think that Sri Sri Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha are the most beautiful Deities in all of Iskcon. Most devotees do have their own preferences too with their favorite Deities. But they are all Krishna so its okay to have a favorite since it's transcendental.

Anyways we had to fast until 12 noon for Radhamashtami. Fasting until 12 noon is easy to do. Janmashtami was very very difficult due to fasting until 12 midnight but I still managed to do it through Krishna's mercy. I had an upset stomach on Janmashtami from fasting but I knew I had to fast for Krishna's pleasure and I did my best to tolerate it. But fasting for Radharani was very simple and easy for She is always merciful.

Toronto's temple celebrates Radhamashtami quite different than what New Vrndavan had celebrated it. Had I known how Toronto celebrated Radhamashtami I would have bought Srimate Radharani a little something too. But I will know for next year when I am here for it. At 6pm the program began for Srimate Radharani. The flower outfit was very beautiful. The Deities did wear a new outfit during the day. I will post here shortly with the pictures. The kirtan was very nice and viewing the Deities on Radharani's appeareance day was much easier. It was just like a regulara Sunday program. The kirtan was nice. Then after the kirtan one of our senior Prabhupada disciples gave a very short class about Srimate Radharani for about 20 minutes. After that the gifts were offered to Srimate Radharani for her birthday. So it was a real transcendental birthday party for Srimate Radharani. The pujaris opened the gifts for Her and showed them to Her and read the birthday cards to Her. And also a light bhajan was held in between, and readings about the Deities. Actually Septm4th was the day the Deities were installed in Toronto's temple so it was a very auspicious day for Them.

Also a Hindu wedding ceremony was held too. I stayed for most of it. It was interesting. They had Deities of Lord Ganesh there. Lord Ganesh is a demigod. And I think this wedding I heard was not part of Iskcon but they chose to have the wedding here in the temple because the parents of the bride or the groom are Iskcon devotees and big donars to the temple. But it was still a nice ceremony for the couple. I send my best wishes to them.

It was very nice to hear about Srimate Radharani. All glories to Srimate Radharani.
Here are some photos of the Deities on Radhamashtami.