Radha-Madhava in ISKCON Vrindavan
Rādhā-Mādhava (within the red circle) on Rādhā-Śyāmasundara’s altar
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Only during the entire Kartika month, Rādhā-Mādhava can be seen on the altar of Rādhā-Śyāmasundara in ISKCON Vrindavan. The rest of the year Rādhā-Mādhava stay in ISKCON Pattamundai located in Odisha.
Rādhā-Mādhava visit ISKCON Vrindavan
Every year, just before Kartika month [auspicious period around October – November] starts, Rādhā-Mādhava travel from Their home in Odisha to ISKCON Vrindavan (Sri Sri Krishna Balaram temple) in Vṛndāvana-dhāma.
Once they arrive in Vṛndāvana-dhāma, Rādhā-Mādhava first take some rest in a devotees’ house. After that Their Lordships are being carried to the temple on a beautifully decorated palanquin. Rādhā-Mādhava specifically take place on the altar of Rādhā-Śyāmasundara during the entire month of Kartika. In this way everyone can behold these unique deities. This set of photos gives an impression of the procession starting from the devotees’ house to the temple.
Rādhā-Mādhava are smaller in size than Rādhā-Śyāmasundara and thus can easily be overlooked. Please carefully look near the lotus feet of Śyāmasundara to see these deities as that is where They usually stand. In the photo below a red circle is shown in which the exact spot of Rādhā-Mādhava on the altar of Rādhā-Śyāmasundara can be seen.
Why do Rādhā-Mādhava visit ISKCON Vrindavan?
The reason why Rādhā-Mādhava can be specifically found in ISKCON Vrindavan was revealed by Dr. Fakir Mohan Das to a disciple of Śrīla Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda:
“When your Prabhupada chanted Rādhā-Mādhava, he cried [referring to a famous incident when Srila Prabhupada introduced the song Jaya Rādhā-Mādhava and went into apparent ecstatic trance]. By his tears, he has attracted Rādhā-Mādhava. The Gaudiya Math, and all the Vaisnavas in Vrindaban, are coming to the Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir to see Rādhā-Mādhava, but your Srila Prabhupada cried for Him. He has thus come there.“
This yearly visit of Rādhā-Mādhava to ISKCON Vrindavan started in 2000 and continues every year till now.