2021.12.11 (Vrindavan Today News): The 33 days of Winter Seva of Shri Radharaman is about to begin from December 8th (Monday). The month long ‘Seva Mahotsava’ will be performed in the pattern set by ‘Nikunj Pravisht’ Jagatguru Purushottam Goswami ji Maharaj. The Sheet Kaalin Seva of Shri Radharaman will be performed under the guidance of His Holiness Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami ji and Acharya Venu Gopal Goswami ji Maharaj.
It is said that ‘Rituraj Basant’ (spring – the king of all seasons) who resides eternally in Vrindavan gives rise to the myriad seasons only for the pleasure of the ‘Divine Couple’. How then can winter, however harsh and unrelenting, not become a festival of delight for the Divine Couple in the holiest of the pilgrimages?
As Goswami Shri Gadadhar Bhatt wrote in one of his ‘grantha’….The winter season is very dear to us because the intense cold brings our ‘priya-priyatam’ closer. Huddled up together, they delight in the warmth of the blanket and that of the sweet, loving words and gentle caresses. Shri Gadadhar Bhatt jis says we consider the Hemant Ritu (winter season) a festival, for it increases the divine lovers’ longing for each other. It is the ‘bhaav’ (emotion) that Braj celebrates the festival called winter. From Shringar to Bhog and Raag all Thakur ji’s sevas are tweaked for the comfort and pleasure of Shri Krishna and Radharani with season’s onset.
As part of daily ‘ang-seva’, Shri Radharaman is given the nice massage with warm and essential perfumed oils (especially saffron and Henna ‘ittr’) before the bathing rituals are carried out with warm water. After the bath, the Lord is dressed in assorted winter finery that includes outfits such as hand stuffed cotton shawls, bagalbandhi shirts and ‘labaada’ or fargul (a type of overcoat). Care is taken to keep the deity’s surroundings warm and cozy. All curtains are replaced with the thick ones that are stuffed with cotton. ‘Angithis’ (braziers) are lit throughout the day and huge blankets are offered to Thakurji for a comfortable sleep at night.
Each morning during the ‘Seva Mahotsava’, a complete reading of Shrimad Bhagvatam will be performed by 26 Sanskrit scholars. Rendition of Shri Chaitanya Bhagvatam will be performed by the Bengali Vaishnavas. In addition to this, the auspicious prayers of Gopal Sahasranam and Narayan Kavach will also be chanted by the Brahmins during the ‘seva’.
Each day Shri Radharaman will give darshan from a new ‘Kunj’ (Grove)’, to be decorated at the Sanctum Sanctorum for the pleasure of His devotees. Each ‘Jhanki’ i.e portrayal will be accompanied by the appropriate music and songs describing Radharaman’s lila at that moment. Shri Radharaman Lal give 9 times darshan in a day, between the Mangala Aarati and Shayan Aarati.
The daily raag seva will be brought to life by different vocalists. A special ceremony called Rajopachar Seva will be offered to the Lord twice a day during Shringar Aarati and Sandhya Aarati. The devotees will hold flags and other sacred symbols during the Aaratis. Radharaman ji will wear gorgeous new outfits specially woven by the family of Mahahraj ji. New jewelries will also be offered to Him. Special Khichdi Bhog will be offered to the Lord during the ‘Winter Seva’.
It should be noted that His Holiness Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami Maharaj is a senior Acharya of Shri Radharaman Temple and Internationally renowned personality and a scholar. He is the Founding Trustee of ‘Vrindavan Today News’. Maharaj ji is also founder of the environmental group of ‘Friends of Vrindavan’.
