Lalita Saptami (Sasti)

Lalita Saptami is celebrated in honour of Sri Lalita Devi. It is the appearance day of Lalita Devi who was the close friend of RadhaDevi. Lalita Saptami falls on the Seventh day of the Shukla Paksha, in Bhadrapad month. Lalita Devi was one of the most devoted gopi towards Radha. It is a very auspicious day that holds a great importance. Lalita Saptami falls a day before the holy appearance of Radharani (Radhashtmi). Lalita Devi was the most beloved of Radharani and Lord Krishna. It is considered highly auspicious to worship Lalita Devi along with Lord Krishna on this day.

Lalita Devi is one of the eight Gopis within traditional Gaudiya Vaishnava worship of Radharani and Krishna. Of the eight Varistha Gopis, Ashtasakhis, Lalita is the foremost. The Ashtasakhis are Lalita, Visakha, Chitralekha, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi, and Sudevi. The Ashtasakhis display the spiritual love for their beloved Radha and Krishna. No one can equal or exceed the love they bear for Radha-Krishna. She was 14 years, 8 months and 27 days older than Radharani. She is the oldest of Krishna’s gopi friends. Lalita Devi is remembered as Radha’s constant and loyal friend. She is the personification of Khandita Bhava. She has a pale yellow appearance. Her attires are like peacock feathers.

It is believed that when Radha and Krishna were playing as paramour couple if a drop of sweat comes in their Lotus feet, Lalita Devi would take lakhs of forms and quickly remove that. She had that kind of supreme passion and service towards her beloved Radha-Krishna. All eight principle Sakhis of Radha Krishna are under the guidance of Lalita Devi. They respect Lalita Devi as their guardian for the service of Radha and Krishna. Lalita Devi was born in Karehla village. Her father brought her to Uccagaon. The place has a rock containing imprints of her lotus feet and the utensils used by Lalita Devi and her friends to feed Lord Krishna. At times, in the sunlight, the imprints shine and glitter.

In most temples of Braj Bhoomi and Vrindavan, Radharani and Lord Krishna are flanked by two Sakhis, Lalita and Visakha. Lalita is the loyal companion and follower of Radharani and always takes her side. Her only desire is to serve Radha and Krishna. The famous pious Lalita Kund in Vrindavan grants liberation to the devotees. It is the most auspicious manifestation of Lalita Devi’s love for Lord Krishna and Radha that eliminates all the obstacles on the path of pure devotion and dedication. It is considered highly auspicious to worship Lalita Devi along with Radharani and Lord Krishna on this day.