Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra

What is Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra?

Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra is the festival of the autumn (saradiya) full moon, when Lord Sri Krishna danced the rasa dance with the gopis, the cowherd girls of Vrindavana. In 2026 it is observed on Monday, 26 October.

Significance

Srimad-Bhagavatam begins its account of the rasa dance with the autumn night itself. Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, saw the jasmine flowers in bloom and turned His mind to loving pastimes, using His yoga-maya, His spiritual power that arranges the Lord's pastimes. Srila Prabhupada explains that these affairs are completely spiritual. Krishna is full and free of all material desire, and our ordinary romance is only a shadow of them.

The gopis love Krishna with no thought of their own pleasure, which is why Gaudiya Vaishnavas place their love at the very top. Murari Gupta's disappearance day and Laksmi Puja are also observed on this day.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in all opulences, yet upon seeing those autumn nights scented with blossoming jasmine flowers, He turned His mind toward loving affairs.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.29.1

How to observe it

Devotees hear the chapters of the rasa dance, Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.29 to 10.33, and sing the glories of the gopis. Offer Krishna sweet rice and milk sweets, as the Vrajavasis do on the night of the rasa-lila, and honour them as prasada. Chant the holy names under the full moon.