The Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month is the Prakatotsav of Shreeji Radharani. Shree Radharani was born in Barsana to Gop Vrishbhanu and Gopi Kirtida. It is said in Braj that the grace of Lord Krishna and residence in Shreedham Vrindavan is not possible without the compassion of Shreeji Radharani. Like the friends of Yogeshwar Lord Krishna, Shree Radharani also had many friends. They are called Sakhi, Nitya sakhi, Pranasakhi and Priyasakhi, but apart from these Shreeji Radharani had eight friends who were famous by the name of “Asht sakhi”. Radha Rani is the dear one of Lord Krishna. She is the presiding goddess of Braj Mandal. No one can enter Braj without her grace. The one on whom Radha Rani showers her grace reaches Braj even if he does not want to. All the gopis are her physical form. All have appeared from her radiance.

Who were Radha’s eight friends?

Radha Rani’s closest friends were Lalita Devi, Vishakha, Chitra, Indulekha, Champakalata, Rangadevi, Tungavidya and Sudevi. All of them were endowed with special qualities. These eight friends were proficient in many arts. They had deep knowledge of music and the secrets of nature. Lalita sakhi was prominent among them.

Who was Lalita Sakhi?

Tansen’s Guru Swami Haridas Ji is considered to be the reincarnation of Lalita Sakhi. Once Radha Ji became happy and started thinking that if I had a friend like me, I would play with her. As soon as she thought so, a friend appeared from her body who became Lalita Ji, she is her intimate friend. It is said about Lalita Devi that she used to wear a peacock feather coloured saree. Lalita had special understanding and knowledge of fragrance. She used to give betel leaf to Radha. This is a daily service and every Gopi does her service with great concentration. The purpose of Gopi’s life is one. There was no entry in Raas without Lalita Ji’s permission. When Raas Leela started, there were crores of friends, they were saints of previous births, verses of Vedas. Who had asked God to accompany them. So when Raas starts, not everyone was allowed to enter it. Men were not allowed.  Lalita ji was standing at the door, no one could enter without Lalita ji’s permission. When Lord Shiva came, Lalita ji refused. Then Lord Shiva said – Krishna is our idol. Lalita ji said – no one other than Krishna can enter here in Braj. Shiv ji said – what should I do? Then Lalita ji made him wear the gopi’s makeup, put choli, ear flowers in the ears, and veil. Gave the couple mantra in the ears. Then the entry was done. In this way Lalita ji became the Guru of Shiv ji because she preached the couple mantra. These friends are no ordinary. Big sages, munis worship them daily. Such are the divine and supernatural gopis and the ‘gop bhaav’ is very high. Lalita ji’s body is of yellow color with redness like Gaurochan. Lalita ji wears “peacock feather” Kranti clothes.  Her parents’ names are Vishok and Sharda. She was married to a gopa named Bhairava.

Vishakha,,

Vishakha ,Radha’s second friend’s name was Vishakha. Vishakha was very beautiful and her radiance was like that of a Saudamini. This friend was fair-skinned. This friend of Shreeji used to make Thakur ji laugh by telling him beautiful jokes. This friend used to apply sandalwood paste made from fragrant substances. She used to present items made from camphor and sandalwood to Radha. She was skilled in making beautiful clothes.

Chitra,,

Chitra is Radha’s third favorite friend. Chitra’s body glowed like saffron. Chitra wore a beautiful kachvarn sari. She used to do Radha’s makeup. It is said about Chitra that she could understand Radha’s words through gestures. This friend was Radha Rani’s most beloved friend. She lived in Chikasoli village in Barsana. When Thakur ji used to wake up at 4 o’clock, this friend used to stand with fruits, sherbet, dry fruits.

Indulekha,,

Indulekha was Radha’s fourth dear friend. She used to wear a red coloured sari. It is said about her that she was always happy and always had a smile on her face. She was skilled in dance and singing. This friend was very intelligent. She lived in Sunhara village. She could tell anyone’s future by looking at their palm lines. She used to tell love stories.

Sudevi,,

Sudevi was very beautiful. She was the youngest friend. She was very clever and a dear friend. She lived in Sunhara village. She used to serve water to Thakur ji. She used to wear coral coloured saree and used to serve water to Radha. She had the knowledge of purifying and cleansing water.

Tungavidya,,

Tungavidya,, used to wear yellow coloured saree and her intellect was very sharp. This friend of Shri Radharani Ji smells like camphor with sandalwood. She sings and dances in the court of Yugalvar. She is adept in playing Veena. She is the incarnation of Gauri Maa Parvati. She was famous for her intelligence. She had a special understanding of fine arts. She was also adept in music.

Ragandevi Sakhi ,,

Ragandevi Sakhi ,,She is very soft and beautiful. She applies kajal to Radha Rani’s eyes and adorns her. Her age is 14 years, 2 months and 4 days.

Champakalata Sakhi,,

Champakalata Sakhi, this Sakhi loves Lord Thakur very much. She lives in Karhala village. Her complexion is like that of a flower. She serves in the kitchen of Lord Thakur.

These eight friends of Radharani are called “Ashtsakhi”. The temple of these Ashtasakhis is also located in Shridham Vrindavan.