Disappearance Day of Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami

What is the Disappearance Day of Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami?

The Disappearance Day of Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami is the anniversary of his departure from this world to serve Sri Radha-Govinda in Their eternal pastimes. The date in 2026 is Friday, 23 October, also the lunar day of the disappearance of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami.

Significance

Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami was an expert cook. At Jagannatha Puri he lived eight months with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and whatever he prepared tasted like nectar. The Lord accepted it with great satisfaction.

In Vrindavana he lived under the care of Srila Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis and recited Srimad-Bhagavatam to them, overwhelmed with ecstatic love. By order of the Lord he remained a lifelong brahmacari, a celibate student, and spent his life chanting Hare Krishna and reading the Bhagavatam. His absorption in Krishna was complete:

Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa would neither hear nor speak about anything of the material world. He would simply discuss Kṛṣṇa and worship the Lord day and night.

Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 13.132

How to observe it

Devotees read from the Srimad-Bhagavatam, as he did, and keep their conversation free of worldly talk and of criticism of other Vaishnavas, which he would not listen to. Cook and offer a simple preparation to Krishna, and share the prasadam with others.