What is Rukmini Dvadasi?
Rukmini Dvadasi celebrates the appearance of Srimati Rukmini-devi, the chief queen of Lord Sri Krishna in Dvaraka. It is kept on the twelfth day of the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakha, and in 2027 that is Monday, 17 May.
Significance
Her pastimes fill two chapters of the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. In chapter 52 she sends her message to Krishna, and in chapter 53 He carries her off. Giriraj Swami writes that when Rukmini and Krishna, worshipped as the Deities Rukmini-Dvarakadhisa, are the centre of our lives, opulence becomes only incidental, because only Krishna can make us happy.
Rukmini-devi is first among the queens of Dvaraka, and Srila Prabhupada's Caitanya-caritamrta teaches that she is an expansion of Srimati Radharani. The same book describes all of Krishna's consorts and their source:
The beloved consorts of Lord Kṛṣṇa are of three kinds: the goddesses of fortune, the queens, and the milkmaids of Vraja, who are the foremost of all. These consorts all proceed from Rādhikā.
Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 4.74-75
How to observe it
The calendar sets no fast for Rukmini Dvadasi, so devotees give the day to hearing and offering. Read the story of Rukmini and Krishna in Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or in the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, and offer flowers to Radha-Krishna. Tradition holds that worship with flowers on this day fulfils one's wishes. Giriraj Swami's advice is simple: chant Hare Krishna, dance and feast on Krishna-prasada.
Questions
When is Rukmini Dvadasi in 2027?
Rukmini Dvadasi is on Monday, 17 May 2027, in the Vaishnava calendar for Kurukshetra. It is kept on the twelfth day of the waxing moon of Vaisakha, so the date changes every year.
Who is Rukmini-devi?
Rukmini-devi is the principal queen of Lord Krishna in Dvaraka. Srila Prabhupada's Caitanya-caritamrta teaches that all of Krishna's consorts proceed from Srimati Radharani, so Rukmini is an expansion of Radharani.
Where is the story of Rukmini and Krishna told?
The story is told in the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam: chapter 52 gives Rukmini's message to Krishna, and chapter 53 tells how He carries her off. Srila Prabhupada retells it in his book Krsna.
Is Rukmini Dvadasi a fasting day?
No, it is kept as a festival day rather than a fast, because the Vaishnava calendar for Kurukshetra gives no parana time for it. Devotees spend the day hearing, chanting, offering flowers and taking prasadam.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Monday, 17 May 2027
- Appearance of
- Srimati Rukmini-devi
- Deities worshipped
- Rukmini-Dvarakadhisa
- Her story in the Bhagavatam
- Tenth Canto, chapters 52 and 53
Seva for this day
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