The tale of Radha and Krishna – A Benchmark of Love

Article of the Month - Oct 2021

This article by The original version was written by Manisha Sarade on 22 October 2022. It was revised in 26 July 2024 by Prakriti Anand, who is currently pursuing her PhD in Ancient Indian History from the University of Delhi. Prakriti has experience working with organizations in the realms of heritage, art, and history and is committed to advancing contributions to the field of culture.

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From mythological to this technological era, Radha Krishna has always been symbolised as a benchmark of love. These two words in our Indian history are never been taken separately. Whenever we talk about Radha, it is impossible for any human being to not to think about Lord Krishna. It definitely strikes our head and compels us to think at least once about the everlasting tale of love.

They shared an eternal love with each other. Regardless of the fact that they never tied a nuptial knot together, they are worshipped together. These days, modern-day couples admire these pure souls most and make promises to each other to be like them. They are the representation of the purest bond, love, and emotions. It is their purity and serenity only which has made their love and care unforgettable.

There are several life lessons which young couples can learn from their story and implement it in their life to make their bond of love stronger and better. From the mythological days of the universe, Radha is known to be an avatar of Goddess Shakti and the most dedicated devotee of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna’s flute was enough to mesmerise her because she was madly in love with him.


60" Superfine and Super Large Radha & Krishna | Handmade | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

The Beauty of Radha-Krishna

Radha Krishna together has not only taught us to love each other but also taught that with love it is necessary to have patience, power of sacrifice, and strength to support your love. It is you that can bring your love in front of the society. It is not easy to always keep that same spirit of love for anyone. But the great devotee Radha has proved whatever the situation comes in the life; if you have a pure love spirit no one can demolish it. You are the one who creates that feeling and you are the ones who can preserve it. Difficulties and problems are part of your life as happiness is a part of your life.

Few things you should know about Radharani

🌀 Radha is the daughter of Vrishbhanu Gopa and Kirti Devi. She is sometimes considered as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu.

🌀 Radha lived in a village called Repalli that was a little away from Vrindavan. Radha was five years elder to Krishna.

🌀 She was in love with Krishna from her younger age. In fact, mythology says that as children, Krishna and Radha playfully married once, but their pure love never converted into a real wedding.

🌀 Radha’s life in Vrindavan took a drastic turn after Krishna left. She was forced by her mother to marry a man. In fact, they had a child together.

🌀 Though Radha is a mysterious character in Hinduism, she is known to be the strength of Krishna. The Hindu goddess whose place is always depicted alongside Krishna and has been in the main centre within the theology of Vaishnava traditions, according to which, Radha is the original Goddess or Shakti.

🌀 Radha is always being worshipped in the Nimbarka Sampradaya, as Nimbarka – central religious figure, and known to be the founder of the tradition, was declared that Radha and Krishna together constitute the absolute truth, following the advent of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.


Radha Chalisa mentions that Radha is arguably the most important Gopi in Raas (sacred dance) with Lord Krishna. Radha is often referred to as Radhika, Radharani, and Radhe in speech. Radha’s superiority is observed in Krishna’s flute, which repeats the name Radha. In fact, when Krishna brought all his wives to meet Radha, they all together declared her the most beautiful and sacred-hearted woman in the whole universe. Since then, she has remained beside Krishna until the end of the universe.


The birthday of Radha is celebrated as Radha Ashtami across the country and especially in the north, with full devotion and joy. Radha Ashtami is mainly take place after 15 days of Janmashtami. Radharani’s birthday is the sacred eighth day of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September).

The Tale of Krishna and Draupadi

Talking about bonds, not many people know, but the special relationship between Draupadi and Krishna is the reason we celebrate Raksha Bandhan. It is said that when Krishna had hurt his wrist, Draupadi tore the corner of her sari and tied it to stop the bleeding from his wrist. Seeing this, Krishna vowed to protect her. Later, during Draupadi’s cheerharan at the hands of the Kauravas in full court, Draupadi prayed to Krishna to protect her honour.

In return, Krishna increased the length of her sari such that it would never end even as Dushasana pulled it apart. It is said that Draupadi trusted Krishna more than anyone else and they called each other Sakhi and Sakha, meaning female friend and male friend, respectively. Draupadi’s father Drupad initially wanted to marry his daughter to Krishna. However, Krishna referred Arjuna as a prospective groom for her. Apart from difficulties, we can also say that these problems are the exam of life, which that divine spirit takes at certain intervals of life.

Adding the Eternal Beauty of Radha-Krishna to Your Space

Who gets through these exams becomes an example and who fails have nothing except accusing the life? The Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata or other epic scriptures have a lot to teach you. These books have all the solutions to our daily problems. In order to sustain, we also find answers by ourselves but sometimes we land up wrong answers. It is necessary to find ethical answers.

Your wrong methods for succeeding may help you once or twice but for every time it is not possible to succeed. Have you ever thought about how this spirit of love and lessons will be transferred to your children or the coming generation? 

There are too many answers to this question. Well, it is not only about love that makes it imperative to be taught to your children. It is necessary because we are on the edge where we have started losing our culture and values. But the question is what can a parent do? First, it is excellent if you have a habit of always teaching them good lessons and good values. As it is said that visuals create a great impact on humans.

Including the Radha Krishna paintings at your home can be the best way to inculcate the spirit of devotion, love, sacrifice, strength, and more in your children. Goddess and Lord Radha Krishna are the symbol of divine love and the bond of togetherness. Their paintings exhibit their love story which is eternal and sublime. Radha Krishna is the divine union between the individual self and the universal self.

Radha Krishna Painting

Their paintings are immensely prominent, not because they are a strong presentation of love and devotion. They are also very important for your home decor. If you have a wall with a beautiful Radha Krishna painting, then you will definitely get compliments from your guests. Some things are designed in such a way that it becomes almost impossible to resist your eyes from gazing at it.

These paintings also have a great prominence in Rajasthan Paintings. It takes a lot of creativity and consciousness to transform your imagination into reality. Rajasthani paintings were stared around 16th-19th centuries in western Indian. Stories of love and affection of Radha Krishna has been shown in numerous Rajasthan paintings.


29" x 40" Lord Krishna and Radha Tanjore Painting | Traditional Colors With 24K Gold | Teakwood Frame | Gold & Wood | Handmade | Made In India

Including Rajasthan paintings, there are several more regions and talented artists who use their skills and hard work to craft different kinds of Radha Krishna paintings. Some of the forms of paintings are mentioned below:

☀ The artist of Uttar Pradesh paintings focuses on depicting the Braj raslila of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

☀ According to the Bhagwat Purana and beliefs of their devotees, Shri Krishna uses to dance along the gopis on the bank of Yamuna River.

☀ And, this is what artists depict in their paintings to show how much the gopis were devoted towards their god.

Radha Krishna in Basholi Painting

These paintings come from mountainous regions. Formerly, it originated from the Basholi region of Jammu Kashmir to depict the lyrical Kangra paintings. These paintings reached the pinnacle when artists tried their hands on the love story of Radha Krishna.


Radha as Mugdha- Vasaksajja Nayika- the Newly Wed Heroine who Awaits the Arrival of Her Lover

Radha Krishna in Pattachitra Painting

One of the most famous form paintings, Pattachitra comes from Odisha. It is a Sanskrit word, where patta means a canvas and Chitra means picture. A common characteristic of these paintings is that they are made of bold lines and brilliant colours. All colours used in these form paintings are natural and brushes are made of bamboo sticks.

Tussar Silk Painting of Divine Pair Radha Krishna | Pattachitra Artwork By ‎Ratikanta Moharana

Radha Krishna in Pichwai Painting

Pichwai paintings are a form a cloth painting that depicts the scenes from the life of Lord Krishna and Radha. They are famous because they are a very real kind of painting style. The use of blue colour for Lord Krishna skin, the jewellery on hand, neck, nose, hair, waist, and ankles makes it even more real. Most natural colours are used in the painting.

Lord Krishna Dancing With Radha | Pichwai Art

Radha Krishna in Tanjore Art

Tanjore paintings are classical south Indian paintings from the town of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. The Tanjore artists give a very rich and adorning touch to this form of paintings. Vivid colours, compact composition, and the glittering gold foils are used to give a rich feel and look. Tanjore artwork is considered as the stepping stone in the world of artists.

Standing Radha Krishna | Traditional Colors with 24 Karat Gold | With Frame

Radha Krishna in Mysore Art

Mysore paintings are more like modern paintings. The process of making Mysore paintings includes several stages, primarily a sketch is made, all the jewellery or those parts that are needed to be elevated are filled from a paste called ‘Gesso paste’. When it gets dry then the rest of the painting is completed by the water colours.

Standing Radha Krishna | Mysore Painting

Radha Krishna in Gujarat Art

Dwarka the kingdom of Gujarat has masterpieces of beautiful and intricate wall carvings and paintings depicting past times of Lord Krishna. These arts have a rich cultural past. If one wants to go in the past to feel those cultural vibes then he must go for Gujarati paintings.


Dance of Radha Krishna | Kalamkari Painting

Madhubani Art

Madhubani paintings come from Mithila region and the adjoining parts of Nepal. These paintings are done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib pens, and matchsticks using natural dyes and pigments and are characterized by eye-catching geometrical patterns. The most famous feature of these paintings is that no space is left and if it happens then it is filled with flowers, birds or some attractive designs.


Radha Krishna on Swing | Madhubani Painting

Statues of Radha-Krishna for Home

While the paintings of Radha-Krishna bring the romantic colors of their Lilas to your home, statues of Radha-Krishna are a more traditional way of celebrating their beauty. Made from different pure materials such as brass, bronze, wood, stone, and precious gemstones, sculptures of Radha-Krishna for home are a simple way of experiencing the sweetness of their divine plays. From small icons for your place of worship to large garden statues, the artistic representations of this heavenly duo transform any home into Krishna’s celestial abode on earth.

Jugal-Jodi: The Young Divine Lovers

Krishna holding his flute to his lips, about to blow sweet tunes in it, and goddess Radha standing on his side, mirroring his beauty, the sculptural representation of the divine duo is known as “Jugal Jodi” (young couple). This is one of the most Beautiful sculptures of Radha-Krishna, often worshipped in homes to gain the blessings of the deities and create a sacred atmosphere.

Divine Pair of Radha - Krishna | White Marble Statues

Hindola Lila: Radha-Krishna on Swing

The divine couple sitting on a swing, immersed in each other’s company, this statue of Radha-Krishna is an auspicious presence in any space. According to Hindu Vaastu principles, the statue of Radha Krishna on the swing brings sweetness among married couples and infuses life with blissfulness, making one feel like they are forever in the proximity of Radha-Krishna in the forests of Brija.

Brass Radha Krishna Statue on Peacock Swing | Handmade

Radha-Krishna Statues in White Marble

As if bathed in the light of Purnima’s moon, white marble statues of Radha-Krishna have been made popular, especially in modern times by the temples, whose central shrine houses marble icons of the duo. A durable and beautiful material, white marble is the perfect choice for expressing the otherworldly beauty of Radha-Krishna, and also a perfect choice for home temples and home decor.


36" Large Radha Krishna Statue | Handmade | White Marble Radha Krishna Murti | Radha Krishna Moorti | Radha Krishna Idol | Lord Radha Krishna Statue

Radha-Krishna Statues in Stone

Stones such as black stone from Mahabalipuram, pink stone from Odisha, granite, and gemstones are popular materials for the sculpting of Hindu statues, including icons of Radha-Krishna. Stones are preferred for their long life and unique textures, which add to the statue an artistic appeal. Different themes from the Lilas of Radha-Krishna are depicted in stone, which makes for a marvelous addition to your halls or gardens as an enduring reminder of the love of the couple.


Radha-Krishna Statues in Bronze

Bronze or Panchaloha, a material popularized by the Chola kings is also a timeless metal and a beautiful one at that. Many icons of Radha-Krishna, inspired by the classical medieval bronzes are recreated in the modern times for homes and temples. One can add a bronze statue of Radha-Krishna to their Puja space or can bring the sculpture as a spiritual decor item, to bring the aesthetic richness of the material and the heavenly beauty of the deites to their space.

Large Radha & Krishna Panchaloha Bronze Statue from Swamimalai

Radha-Krishna Statues in Brass

Brass is a classic material in Hindu culture, preferred by religious art makers for creating beautiful and divine icons of deities. Pure and durable, brass is used in creating heavenly statues of Radha-Krishna, perfect for everyday, elaborate rituals. Devotees dress the brass statues of Radha and Krishna and perform daily worship on these icons. Perfect for decorative pieces as well as temple icons, brass offers a timeless and traditional appeal, cherished by the Bhaktas of Radha-Krishna.

Wrapping Up

The tale of Radha-Krishna is an essential part of Hindu culture, a symbol of divinity and purity of love (Prema). The many Lilas of Radha-Krishna are remembered and retold all across India and the world, their love is celebrated in the temples globally and their relationship is an exemplary one for every human being, carrying lessons of devotion toward one another.

Hindu books such as the Puranas, Gita Govinda, and literature on Radha-Krishna as well as paintings and statues of Radha-Krishna are the perfect way of connecting yourself with their heavenliness. Explore the collection of books, paintings, and statues on Exotic India, and discover a vast range of art and literature on Radha-Krishna, to bring the sacredness of the duo into your life.


This article by The original version was written by Manisha Sarade on 22 October 2022. It was revised in 26 July 2024 by Prakriti Anand, who is currently pursuing her PhD in Ancient Indian History from the University of Delhi. Prakriti has experience working with organizations in the realms of heritage, art, and history and is committed to advancing contributions to the field of culture.

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