UP govt to start two days 'Barkha Bahar' programme before Radhastami

Radhastami, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Radha, will be preceded by a novel two-day program "Barkha Bahar" in Brijbhumi this year, a minister in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet said Thursday.

"It is aimed to preserve and propagate rich Brij culture," Uttar Pradesh minister for Dairying, Culture, Religious works , Minorities Welfare and Haj, Laxmi Narain Chaudhary said.

He said Radhastami, this year, would be celebrated in a "majestic way", in a similar fashion as Sri Krishna Janmastami.

Prior to Radhastami on September 17, a two-day program to commemorate the festival would be organised at Beej Godam in Barsana.

On September 15, locals as well as pilgrims, would participate in "mataki fod" competition and other sports and cultural events, he said.

Chaudhary said the program of the first day would conclude with Bhajans (devotional songs) presented by Anuradha Podwal.

The highlight of September 16 program would be "Lok Boli Sammelan", based on the poems of late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said, adding that several other cultural events would also be organised.

According to Radha Behari Goswami, the noted religious-cum-cultural figure of Mathura, three places are more akin to Radhastami celebrations -- Rawal, Barsana, and Vrindaban.

Rawal, the village adopted by actress-turned-politician and BJP MP Hema Malini, is known as the birthplace of Radha, Goswami said.

Radha spent her childhood in Barsana and Vrindaban, he said.