Vrindavan's Shri Radha Vallabh Temple Kicks Off Century-Old Khichdi Seva Tradition
Image Source: Internet
Vrindavan, India - A centuries-old tradition is set to begin at the Shri Radha Vallabh Temple in Vrindavan, where devotees will offer 'khichdi' to the deity from December 22 to January 21. The month-long 'Khichdi Seva' is a cherished festival that has been celebrated for over 310 years, with the ritual of offering 'khichdi prasad' daily after the morning Mangala Aarti. According to Acharya Devkinandan Goswami, a sevayat of the temple, the tradition was initiated to shield Thakur Radha Vallabh from harsh winter conditions. During the festival, the deity will be shown in various forms, including a flower seller, bird vendor, doctor, and several other symbolic representations, to bless devotees. The 'khichdi prasad' is prepared with 32 ingredients, making it flavorful and easily digestible. Special offerings like kuliya, rabri, chipiya, and shrikhand are also included in the divine prasad. Despite the chilly weather, devotees are expected to throng the temple to witness the Mangala Aarti and the unique darshan during the Khichdi Mahotsav. The festival, which is considered one of the oldest and most cherished festivals of the temple, has been celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm. Sevayats and Vaishnav devotees sing 'Khichdi Padas,' composed by the temple's founder, Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu, during the celebrations. This year's festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for devotees and a testament to the temple's rich cultural heritage.
