Grand Celebration of Radha Ashtami at Barsana's Ladli Temple

Hundreds gathered at Barsana’s Ladli temple to celebrate Radha Ashtami with a grand Abhishek ceremony using 51 quintals of milk, curd, and honey. The deity was adorned with ornaments worth Rs 31 lakh. Security measures were heightened to manage the influx of pilgrims and avoid any untoward incidents.

Hundreds of pilgrims flocked to Barsana's Ladli temple on Wednesday to offer their respects to Radha Rani during the grand celebration of Radha Ashtami. The deity was bathed with 51 quintals of milk, curd, and honey, and later adorned with attire and ornaments worth Rs 31 lakh.

The Abhishek ceremony, held during the 'Brahma Muhurta', was conducted with chants of Vedic hymns. 'The Abhishek was performed with a mixture of 51 quintals of milk, curd, honey, khandsari, ghee, and eleven varieties of herbs,' said the temple priest, Ras Bihari Goswami. This was followed by 'aarti' and 'darshan' in a golden cradle amid chants of 'Radhe Radhe'.

To ensure the safety of the pilgrims, the local administration, under District Magistrate Shailendra Singh, implemented stringent security measures. 'Barsana has been divided into seven zones and 16 sectors with senior officers in charge,' Singh said. Over 2,000 security personnel, including SPs, constables, and home guards, were deployed. Additionally, 52 CCTVs with drone cameras and barbed fencing around major ponds were installed to prevent any incidents. 48 parking points were also set up at various entry points to manage the influx of visitors.

(With inputs from agencies.)