Bahulastami 2025: The Divine Night When Radha-Kunda Appeared on Earth

Chinmayi Devi Dasi
Oct 13
5 min read

“On Bahulastami 2025 night, Radha’s love became water — and the world witnessed the birth of divine compassion.”

Each year, the sacred land of Braj glows with the fragrance of devotion during Bahulastami, the divine night when Radha-Kunda — the holiest pond in the universe — appeared on Earth.

In 2025, Bahulastami falls on October 14 (Kartika Krishna Ashtami), during the sacred Kartika month, a period known as the month of devotion, love, and spiritual upliftment.

While Radha Ashtami celebrates the birth of Srimati Radharani, Bahulastami honors the appearance of Radha-Kunda, which is believed to be the very liquid form of Radharani’s love (prema). Devotees believe that even a single drop from this sacred kund can purify lifetimes of ignorance and bring one closer to Krishna.

The Sacred Story: How Radha-Kunda Appeared

The story of Bahulastami begins in the serene forests of Vrindavan, where love played in its purest form between Radha and Krishna.

One day, a fierce demon named Aristasura came charging into Vrindavan, taking the form of a giant bull. The earth trembled beneath his hooves, and fear spread among the villagers. To protect His devotees, Lord Krishna fought and killed Aristasura.

When the demon fell, the gopis — ever playful and wise — teased Krishna, saying,

"You have killed a bull, the symbol of dharma! You must cleanse yourself of this sin by bathing in all the holy rivers."

Krishna smiled mischievously. “Why should I travel to every river,” He said, “when I can bring them all here?”

With His divine will, He struck the ground with His heel, and immediately, all the sacred rivers and tirthas — Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Godavari, and others — appeared in person and flowed into the newly formed pond. Thus was born Syama-Kunda, named after Lord Syama (Krishna).

When Radharani and Her sakhis heard of this, they playfully declared,

"If You have Your Syama-Kunda, then we too shall have our own pond!"

With bangles and their delicate hands, Radharani and Her companions began digging the earth, forming a small pit. Seeing their effort, Krishna smiled again. The same holy rivers appeared before Radharani and humbly requested,

"O Devi, allow us to enter and fill Your kund, so that we too may be blessed by Your touch."

With Her merciful glance, Radha agreed.

The sacred waters flowed in, merging with Her love — and thus appeared Radha-Kunda, the holiest of all places, the very embodiment of divine compassion.

That night, the air of Braj shimmered. The moon reflected on the two kundas, standing side by side like Radha and Krishna — two yet one, eternally united in love.

“यथा राधा प्रिया विष्णोः तस्याः कुंडं प्रियं तथा ।

सर्वा गोपीषु सैवैकா विष्णोरत्यन्त वल्लभा ॥”

(Padma Purāṇa, Adi Khaṇḍa 5.17)

Meaning:

“As Srimati Radharani is dear to Lord Vishnu (Krishna), so is Her sacred lake, Radha-Kunda, equally dear to Him. Among all the gopis, She alone is the most beloved of the Lord.”

The Spiritual Significance of Radha-Kunda

In Vaishnava tradition, Radha-Kunda is not just a pond — it is Radha Rani Herself in liquid form.

Every drop carries the vibration of Her compassion, patience, and divine love. Devotees believe that bathing in Radha-Kunda on Bahulastami brings one closer to the purest form of bhakti (devotion) — love that expects nothing in return.

Radha-Kunda symbolizes the heart of pure surrender, where the ego dissolves and only divine longing remains.

It teaches us that love, when purified by devotion, becomes sacred — a bridge between human and divine.

As Sri Rupa Goswami writes in Upadesamrita:

“अपि चेत् सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक् ।

साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः ॥”

(Bhagavad Gita 9.30)

Even a flawed being becomes pure when their heart is surrendered in devotion — and Radha-Kunda is the eternal example of such purified love.

Why Bahulastami Night Is So Auspicious

According to tradition, the Radha-Kunda appeared at midnight on Bahulastami. On this divine night, the veil between heaven and earth becomes thin, and the mercy of Srimati Radharani flows freely to all sincere devotees.

Thousands gather at Radha-Kunda and Syama-Kunda near Govardhan Hill, lighting lamps, singing kirtans, and taking a midnight holy dip (snan) in the waters that once touched the feet of the Divine Couple.

The belief is that whoever bathes on this night with faith will receive Radha’s grace and progress swiftly on the path of love for Krishna.

Even those unable to visit Braj can feel Her presence by chanting, meditating, or offering a simple prayer from home.

How to Observe Bahulastami 2025

Whether you live in a temple, a city apartment, or a small village, the spirit of Bahulastami can be celebrated anywhere the name of Radha is spoken with love.

Simple Home Observance:

Morning: Wake early, bathe, and decorate your altar with fresh flowers. Offer tulsi, fruits, and sweets to Radha-Krishna.
Afternoon: Read or listen to the Radha-Kunda Mahima from Padma Purana or Chaitanya Charitamrita.
Evening: Light lamps (diyas) in honor of Radha-Kunda’s appearance. Chant “Radhe Radhe” or the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra with deep focus.
Midnight: Meditate on the divine scene of Radharani creating the kund. Offer gratitude and visualize the kund’s serene waters glowing under the moon.
Charity & Bhakti: Offer food (prasadam) to cows or needy devotees — acts of love are the best offerings to Radha.

For Pilgrims in Braj:

Take the midnight dip first in Radha-Kunda and then in Syama-Kunda.
Perform parikrama (circumambulation) around the kunds while chanting Radha-Krishna Naam.
Attend kirtans and visit nearby temples like Kusum Sarovar, Govardhan, and Mansi Ganga.
Keep the mood pure — humility is the true offering Radha accepts.

Radha Rani’s Presence on Bahulastami

Although Bahulastami celebrates the appearance of Her kund, devotees feel that Radharani Herself is most present on this night — Her mercy overflowing like the waters of the kund.

She appears not as a form to be seen, but as a feeling to be experienced — tenderness, forgiveness, and love without condition.

In the silence of the midnight kirtan, many devotees feel that Radha walks among them, unseen yet deeply felt, smiling through the ripples of Radha-Kunda.

“राधा नाम महामन्त्रं श्रीकृष्ण प्रेम दायकम् ।

स्मरणादेव राधायाः स्नेहं प्राप्नोति मानवः ॥”

(Anonymous Braj verse)

Meaning:

“The name of Radha itself is a great mantra; it grants divine love for Krishna. Whoever remembers Her with faith attains Her affection.”

A Short Prayer for Bahulastami

O Srimati Radharani,

Goddess of boundless compassion, queen of Vrindavan,

Let me dwell in the shadow of Your love.

May my heart become a drop in Your sacred kund —

pure, humble, and forever longing for Krishna.

Chant “Radhe Radhe” 108 times on this night. Even if you cannot reach Braj physically, know that Radha-Kunda exists within the heart of every devotee who loves sincerely.

A Living Reflection

As the lamps float over Radha-Kunda at midnight, the wind carries soft voices singing “Radhe Radhe.” The moon reflects on the water like Her smile. Pilgrims step in with folded hands, whispering prayers that dissolve like ripples — each wave carrying human longing back to divine love.

This is not just a festival; it is a reunion between the soul and its source.

On Bahulastami, Radha reminds us that love is not found in possession but in surrender — where the heart becomes a kund of devotion.

राधा-कुण्डं महापवित्रं प्रेमरूपं दयानिधि।"

If you light even a single lamp of devotion on Bahulastami, know that Radharani notices.

She doesn’t count the number of your offerings — only the sincerity in your heart.

राधे, मेरे प्रेम को स्वीकार करो, चाहे वह छोटा ही क्यों न हो।

मुझे तेरी स्मृति में जीने का आशीर्वाद दो।”