Another main Grand Festival of RadhaVallabh Temple is Nine-Day long Shri Radha Ashtami Festival, commemorating the birthday of Shri-Shri Radhika Ji (Guru of Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu ji). The festival commences right from the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad (BhadrapadShukla Panchmi) from which date congratulator devotional songs are sung by the Temple musicians and well decorated procession of the Swaroops (The Holy Couples Shri-Sri Krishna and Shri-Shri Radha) in attendance with Sakhis (Holy Female companions) is being taken out from the temple in the evenings for four days. The Holy Couple is seated in a wall-decorated chariot along with Holy Female companions.
The chariot is decorated with flowers and colorful lights. Saints of the sect carrying Holy Insignias indicating their Akharas (sub-sects), several band-parties playing devotional tunes, hundreds of devotees from all over the world dancing and singing devotional songs attuned with the beat of traditional symbol and drums, several Jhankis (picturesque presentation of various themes connected with the occasion), lights comprise the procession, known as “Chav” in the traditional parlance, which moves slowly meandering the main streets and lanes of Vrindavan, reaching Raas Mandal after mid-night, Devotees perform “Aarthi” at different places, after every few steps, of the Holy Couple (Deity) is graciously garbed in red royal robes in the temple. On this night, Darshan are again opened after “Shayan Aarti”, and “Dhandhi- Dhandhin”, (Traditional male and female Courtesan-Dancer of the Holy Couple) dance whole night singing congratulatory devotional songs in the praise of Shri-Shri Radha, Shri Vrishubhanuji and Shri Keerteeji (parents of Shri Radhikaji) After performance of Shyan Aarti, the Deity is adorned with new ornaments, on the all four sides of “Shayan Mandap”, plantain trunks with leaves are placed and whole temple, inside outside decorated with “Bandanwars”. On the 8th day, from the early morning before Mangla Aarti, the temple musicians (Samajis) start singing congratulatory songs (Badhai) and “Dadhi-Kando” is performed for sometime at Jagmohan (raised platform) itself. The Deity is then bathed with five ritually important Ingredients-Milk, Curd, Clarified Butter (Ghee), Honey and Sugar followed by Holy Waters of Yamuna. This ritual bath consists of several liters of above ingredients. The temple is decorated this time too, as at Hitotsava, at the time of Shringar Bhog. various types of delicacies e.g., Ladoos of several types, Gujhlas, Sugar Coated Almonds, Coconut slices water chestnuts (Makhana), Lotus seeds, melon seeds, Mathari (both sweet and saltish), Panjiree (Wheat flour and coriander (Dhania) powder segarately roasted with clarified Butter and enriched with sugar, dry fruits etc.), Sakalpara, See etc. besides several other delicacies are offered sumptuously to the Dairy, Rajbhog, on this day also lavish and sumptuous which consists of “Sakhri”- Several kinds of rice e.g. Bhat, Jeera Bhat, Mewa Bhat, Boora Bhat, Kesar Bhat, Dahi Bhat (Rice, Cumin Rice, Dry Fruit Rice, Sugar-Butter Rice, Saffron Rice, Curd Rice) etc. Karhi, various kinds of breads (Anga Roti, Meethi Boora Bhee Roti, Missy Roti, Phulka), Lentils (Dal), Sweet Moong, vegetables of various kinds, Dahi Pakori, Kheer etc. and “Nikhri” consisting of various kinds of Poori’s, Kachawris, pickles, jams and jellies, Dahi-Bara, Papar, vegetables etc. is offered to Deity followed by offerings of “Biree” (Betel leaves enriched with Cardamom, saffron and dry fruits), traditionally offered after each and every “Bhog” daily at temple.
From 12 p.m. onwards, starts “Dadhi Kando” of Brijwasis (Devotees and followers of the sect dwelling in Brija Vrindavan). Later, Goswami Swaroops perform “Dadhi Kando”, which must not be missed since it is a ritual to be remembered forever. Several seen Liters of Milk, Curd, Turmeric powder, Sandal Paste and saffron is mixed in a very large tank in the Temple and Goswamis sprinkle the admixture on the devotees and fellow priests, dancing in circles, merrily rejoicings, to the tunes of “Radha Pyari Ne Janam Liyo Hai” and “Chalo Vrishbhanu Gope Ke Dwar” (Beloved Shri Radha has taken birth and Let us to the doors of Shri Vrishbhanu Gope, father of Shri Radhikaji). Later, the Goswamis accompanied by Temple Devotional Singers (Samaj), proceed to Shri Hit Mandir (Old Temple), Vanchandraji Ke Doll, Shri-Shri Sewakunj and Shri Hit Raas Mandal, performing Dadhi Kando to the sky ricocheting melodious tunes of “Radha Pyari Ne Janam Liyo Hal” and congratulatory verses.
This is followed by ritualistic bathing in Yamuna by Goswamis after which they return to their abodes. In the evening, again “Chav”, the Holy procession is being taken out on a much enlarged scale which is followed this day by the Chav from Shri Banke Bihari Temple also, remenisciending the Holy Processions of “Shri Harivansh-Shri Haridas Ji”. The celebrations come to an and on the 13th, day of brighter fortnight commemorating Chhathi (Sixth day after birth of Shri Radhikaji), on which date again sumptuous Shringar Bhog and Raj Bhog offering are being made to the Deity. During Raj Bhog Sakhri Include specialties such as Kheer, Pakori, Peet-Bhat (Yellow Rice). Mohan Bhog etc. besides of firings as that on her birthday. On the birthday, i.e. Shri- Shri Radha Ashtami, the Goswamis, as well as devotees, put Tilak on the forehead of Dhandhi and Dhandhin and reward them with shawls and dakshna, as if it has been done Shri Vrishubhanuji on that day.