BY JANANANDA GOSVAMI
In the early years of ISKCON most devotees observed every single event mentioned on the calendar even though in many cases we had no idea who they were. Festivals were something we always looked forward to and there were plenty of them.
Back in 1966 after the first Janmastami festival in New York and the first initiation and marriage of his disciples Srila Prabhupada said "If I had the means, I could hold a major festival like this every day." (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta - Stay High Forever)
It was certainly pleasing to Srila Prabhupada when the devotees honoured these days.
“I am so glad to learn that you are regularly observing the listed holidays in our Caitanya almanac. The roaring kirtana, offering feast to the Deities with special preparations is our simple mode of celebration, and there is no other special program. This is standard and that is our festival.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter to Yamuna, 17th May, 1970)
Festivals are a very important part of our devotional lives. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura describes them as follows:
Madhava Tithi Bhakti Janani - “With great care I observe holy days like Ekadasi and Janmastami, for they are the mother of devotion.”
Srila Prabhupada emphasised many times how our temples should be for this purpose:
73-08 “Observe many festivals, that will keep both public and devotees alive. Temple means festivals and festivals means chanting and distribution of prasadam.” (SPL to Tamala Krsna, 8th August, 1973)
Festivals are a powerful way to overcome our anarthas and rekindle or increase our enthusiasm in devotional service.
“Best way to maintain enthusiasm is by regular chanting with the devotees together in the temple and by having festivals. So you should immediately have one festival then everyone will be busily engaged. There are so many festivals that I can give you one for every day”. (SPL Letter to: Svati January 1972)
“My dear Uddhava, one can give up false pride and prestige by engaging in the following devotional activities……… One should always discuss My birth and activities and enjoy life by participating in festivals, such as Janmastami, which glorify My pastimes. In My temple, one should also participate in festivals and ceremonies by singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and discussing Me with other Vaisnavas. One should observe all the regularly celebrated annual festivals by attending ceremonies, pilgrimages and making offerings. One should also observe religious vows such as Ekadasi and take initiation by the procedures mentioned in the Vedas, Pancaratra and other, similar literatures. …….” (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.34-41)
Over the next week or so there are ample opportunities to absorb ourselves in the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees by participating in the upcoming festivals
This week – September 2nd or 3rd is Radhastami (depending where you are in the world). The Holy appearance of Srimati Radharani. Fasting is till noon and then feasting. Without the mercy of Radharani we cannot approach Krsna.
krsna taba punya habe bhai
e-punya koribe jabe radharani khusi habe
dhruva ati boli toma tai
“I emphatically say to you, O brothers, you will obtain your good fortune from the Supreme Lord Krsna only when Srimati Radharani becomes pleased with you. (From ‘Prayer unto the Lotus Feet of Krsna’ by Srila Prabhupada Sept 13th 1965)
Actually, because Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is very difficult to approach Him. But the devotees, taking advantage of His compassionate nature, which is represented by Radharani, always pray to Radharani for Krsna's compassion. (Nectar of devotion chapter 33)
In a lecture on 23rd Sept 1974 in Calcutta Srila Prabhupada spoke about Radharani.
“So our request is... Everyone who is present here... Today is Radhastami. So pray to Radharani. And She is hare, hara. This hare, this word, is Radharani. Hara, Radharani. Radha or hara the same thing. So Hare Krsna. So we are praying to Radharani, "My Mother, Radharani, and Krsna." Hare Krsna. "O Krsna, O the Lord." Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, the same thing, repetition. "O Radharani, O Krsna." "O Radha-Krsna." "Radhe-Krsna" or "Hare Krsna," the same thing. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare. Again addressing, "O Krsna, O Krsna, O Radharani." Hare Rama. The same thing, again. Hare Rama. Rama is also Krsna. Rama is Rama, Rama is Balarama. They are all Krsna. Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. So this repetition of addressing Radha and Krsna or Hare Krsna is to pray, "My dear Lord, the, and the energy, the spiritual energy of the Lord, kindly engage me in Your service." That's all. "I am now embarrassed with this material service. Please engage me in Your service."
So we shall pray to Radharani... What is Radharani? Radharani is the pleasure potency of Krsna. Pleasure potency. Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate [Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport]. The Supreme Lord has many potencies. Na tasya karyam karanam ca vidyate. Therefore He has nothing to do. He has got so many potencies. Just like big man, a rich man. He's sitting. But his energies, his potencies, are working. Big, big factory. And he knows everything. Similarly, parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate. He has got many multi-potencies. One of them is this pleasure potency. Pleasure potency...
He also wants pleasure. So when Krsna wants... Krsna is Param Brahman. He cannot enjoy anything material. He has to create the source of enjoyment by His own spiritual potency. That is Radharani. So Radharani is described in the sastra: radha-krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hladini-saktir asmad [Cc. Adi 1.5]. That is Krsna's hladini-sakti. She gives pleasure to Krsna. So She is very kind. And today is Radhastami. If we pray to Srimati Radharani... Therefore in Vrndavana you'll see. They are first of all glorifying, "Jaya Radhe!" Everywhere you'll hear.
To glorify Srimati Radharani. So if Radharani's pleased, he'll be able to approach Krsna very easily. And that is the goal of our life. That is the goal of life.
And In London on September 3, 1971:
“And He is pleased through Radharani. Therefore we don't keep Krsna alone. No. Radha-Krsna. First Radharani. So that day is today. First you have to worship Radharani. If you go through Radharani...
Therefore in Vrndavana you will see all devotees, they will address one another, "Jaya Radhe." Still. Because they know that "If Radharani is pleased, if I can please Radharani..." Radharani is presented, the original pleasure potency, always absorbed in thought of Krsna. So anyone who comes before Radharani to serve Krsna, oh, She becomes so pleased, "Oh, here is a devotee of Krsna." She immediately recommends, "Krsna, oh, here is a devotee. He is better than Me." This is Radharani. I may be a, not devotee. I may be most fallen rascal. But if I try to reach Krsna through Radharani, then my business is successful. Therefore we should worship Radharani first. That is our business. Instead of offering directly one flower to Krsna, you just put it in the hands of Radharani: "My mother Radharani, Jagan-mata, if you kindly take this flower and offer it to Krsna." "Oh," Radharani says, "Oh, you have brought a flower?" Krsna said, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati [Bg. 9.26], but don't try to offer Krsna directly. Just offer through Radharani. It will be very much appreciated by Radharani.
So this is our philosophy, to please Krsna through Radharani, and just today is the auspicious day of Radharani appearance. So we should offer puspanjali and pray to Radharani that "Radharani, kindly be merciful and tell about me to Your Krsna. To Your Krsna. Krsna is Yours." Krsna, Radha-Krsna. Krsna is not independent. Krsna is Radharani's property. So you have to approach Krsna through Radharani. That is, today is the auspicious day. Worship Radharani very nicely and be happy.
Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)
UPCOMING FESTIVALS
(The following dates will vary according to your location so please check the local calendar for details)
3rd September (Wednesday) (In many places it is the 2nd)–Apprearance day of SRIMATI RADHARANI – Radhastami – fasting till noon then feasting
5th September (Friday) – “WORLD HOLY NAME WEEK” begins and continues till the 15th
6th September (Saturday) - Appearance day of “LORD VAMANADEVA” and
“SRILA JIVA GOSVAMI”. “EKADASI” – Fasting entirely until
noon
7th September (Sunday) – Appearance day of “SRILA SACIDANANDA BHAKTIVINODE THAKURA” – Feasting.
“By discussing the path of the previous sadhus, one gets determination, courage, and satisfaction. When we discuss the path of devotional service exhibited by Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatana, Sri Raghunatha, and Sri Haridasa Thakura, then we feel such happiness that it cannot be described.” (From Tat-tat-karma-pravartana, Bhaktyaloka by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura)
8th September (Monday) – Disappearance day of “Srila Haridasa Thakura”.
Srila Haridasa Thakura said:
khanda khanda hai' deha yaya yadi prana
tabu ami vadane na chadi hari-nama
e saba jivere krsna! karaha prasada
mora drohe nahu e sabara aparadha
"Even if my body is cut into pieces and I loose my life, I will never give up chanting the Lord's holy name. O Krsna, please be merciful upon these poor souls, kindly excuse them for their offense of torturing me."
Maintaining this type of determination and being compassionate to all living entities while always chanting the holy name of Krsna is the path of devotional service exhibited by the previous mahajanas. A path cannot be manufactured. Whatever path is there should be accepted by sadhus. Those who are proud and want fame try vigorously to discover new paths. Those who have good fortune from past lives give up pride and respect the established path. Those who are unfortunate promenade on a new path and thus cheat the world.” (From Tat-tat-karma-pravartana Bhaktyaloka by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura)
9th September (Tuesday) – Acceptance of “Sannyasa by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada” and “Visvarupa Mahotsava.” Ananta Caturdasi and 3rd month of Caturmasya begins.
15th September (Monday) Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in Boston, USA 1965 on board the Jaladuta- which means the messenger who crosses the ocean.
“My dear Lord Krsna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me. But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place? (From Srila Prabhupada’s poem – Markine Bhagavat Dharma when he arrived in Boston in 1965)
When loud chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is performed all over the world by those who follow in Your footsteps, all living entities, moving and nonmoving, dance in ecstatic devotional love. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.72) 
Worship of the Lord, whose name is like the sun, for just as a slight appearance of the sun dissipates the darkness of night, so a slight appearance of the holy name of Krishna can drive away all the darkness of ignorance that arises in the heart due to greatly sinful activities performed in previous lives. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.62) 
If a devotee once utters the holy name of the Lord, or if it penetrates his mind or enters his ear, which is the channel of aural reception, that holy name will certainly deliver him from material bondage, whether vibrated properly or improperly, with correct or incorrect grammar, or properly joined or vibrated in separate parts. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.60) 
The following notices have been given.
No one will be allowed to enter the temple with electrical items like cellphones
Entering with bags or suitcases will also be forbidden
Separate entrance and exit ways have been designated for those coming for darshan
Devotees are asked to avoid pushing and overcrowding
Women should not wear expensive jewels and decorations
No one should touch abandoned luggage
Nor should people spread rumors. Any suspicious activities should be reported to the appropriate authorities. 
Kalasamvara Das: Once, only in the land of Braj (Sri Vrindavan) was there the glorification of Srimati Radharani .Today by the mercy of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In most cities and towns around the world ,devotees from all walks of life are being blessed by Her Divine Name. And are calling out with great emotions Jai Jai Sri Radhe!!! Being thank full for this golden opportunity, in this golden age. 
Narrated by Bhakti Chaitanya Swami 
Sri Radha Radhika - Lord Krsna's greatest worshiper
Krsna-Vallabha - Lord Krsna's beloved
Krsna-Samyuta - Lord Krsna's constant companion
Vrndavanesvari - queen of Vrndavana
Krsna-Priya - beloved of Lord Krsna
Madana-Mohini - more charming than Kamadeva
Srimati - beautiful
Krsna-Kanta - Lord Krsna beloved
Krsnananda-Pradayini - the giver of bliss to Lord Krsna
Yasasvini yasogamya - famous
Yasodananda-Vallabha - beloved of Yasoda's son
Damodara-Priya - dear to Lord Damodara 
Today, September 2nd 2014 on the most auspicious day of Srimati Radharani’s Appearance, we are feeling unlimitedly fortunate to be engaged in some small service for Her pleasure.
It is only by Her causeless mercy that we are able to try and keep Her pastime place, Radha Kunda clean. It is only by Her merciful glance that we are able to, in some small way, beautify Her playground with gardens and murals. It is only by Her grace that we are able to offer some service to Her maidservants, the widow residents of Her sporting ground, Radha Kunda.
And it is by Her divine inspiration that so many kind-hearted Vaishnavas have stepped forward to support this service.
Before Srimati Radhika descended to this planet Earth, Vrindavan came in all its beauty and splendor to facilitate Her pleasure pastimes with Her Beloved. If we can help to beautify this Holy Land for Her continued pleasure, we consider ourselves most lucky.
Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com. Thank you for your support! Your servants, Mayapurcandra dasa and Campakalata Devi dasi. 
Deity Worship at Home Temple: Making Radhastami Decorations 
Gita Nagari is a 350 acre farm situated in scenic Port Royal, Pennsylvania. The community lovingly engages in farming and caring for their cows, focusing on the Supreme Lord as central to their existence.
Farming, Cow Protection, Home to an intentional spiritual community who worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, and engage in bhakti yoga, Spiritual Retreat venue. 
If a devotee once utters the holy name of the Lord, or if it penetrates his mind or enters his ear, which is the channel of aural reception, that holy name will certainly deliver him from material bondage, whether vibrated properly or improperly, with correct or incorrect grammar, or properly joined or vibrated in separate parts. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.60) 
