Sharad Poonam

The day when the full moon glows in the sky, the night Bhagwan Krishna graced the Gopis of Vrundavan by playing the Maha Raas with them on the banks of the sacred Yamuna. Lord Krishna's presence and the air filled with the sweet sound originating from his flute. Vrundavan was glowing.

Sri Krishna and His Raas Lila

Radha Krishna : A Divine Love

It was also on this night over 5,000 years ago that Lord Krishna and Radhaji revealed the Supreme Divine bliss to Gopis in Vrindavan. On the night of Sharad Poonam, Lord Krishna had invited Gopikas from Vraj to Vrindavan, on the bank of river Yamuna, and performed Raas-Leela with them. This is the perfect example of selfless devotion and immortal love. This day, Bhagwan Lord Krishna played Raas with the Gopis in Vrindavan (145km from Delhi).

Like the full moon glows in the sky on Sharad Poonam, Vrindavan was glowing with Lord Krishna's presence and the air was filled with the sweet sound originating from his flute.

The essence of Raas is that our devotion for God should be like the love of the Gopi's to Lord Krishna. Raas Leela forms the most enchanting and the most devotional Raas of Sri Krishna. The devotion of Gopis and love for Lord Krishna was so great that the Gopi's commenced playing Raas around Him.

Radha and all Gopis come near Yamuna river waiting for Shri Krishna.
Shri Krishna duplicates himself for all the Gopis beginning Maha Raas Leela

Lord Krishna and Radhikaji played Raas in the middle and eventually He assumed as many forms as there were Gopi's and played Raas with each and every one of them.

The relationship of Radha and Krishna is the embodiment of love, passion and devotion. Radha's passion for Krishna symbolises the soul's intense longing and willingness for the ultimate unification with God. Shree Krishna is the soul of Radha and Radha is definitely the soul of Shree Krishna.

No one has captured the heart and mind of the masses with such fervour as Shree Krishna has. He is the most adored deity in His many varied and beautiful divine forms.

In his gesture of supreme love towards Radha and Radha's love for Him, Sri Krishna blessed her thus: 'O Radha, for centuries to come people would take your name first and then mine.' And thus devotees chant 'Radhe Krishna; Radhe Krishna'. Radha Krishna has become the most popular Mantra in any bhajans and dhuns or Raas.

Following this tradition, people of Gujarat celebrate Sharad Poonam with Raas-Garba and fun fairs at different places.