Meaning of Rasayatra
The term Rasayatra means “the festival of Rasa,” referring to the transcendental dance performed by Krishna with the gopis on the full moon night of Kartika month.

On this night, under the shimmering light of Sharad Purnima, Lord Krishna expanded Himself into many forms so that each gopi could experience His complete attention and love. The atmosphere of Vrindavan became divine – filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, the sound of flute music, and the devotion of the gopis’ hearts.

Scriptural References
The Rasa Lila is beautifully described in the Srimad Bhagavatam (10th Canto, Chapters 29–33). These chapters are known as the Rasa Panchadhyaya – the five chapters that reveal the pinnacle of divine love between Krishna and His devotees.

The Bhagavatam explains that:

“When the full moon rose in the sky, Lord Krishna, desiring to enjoy pastimes, played His flute, which enchanted the hearts of all the gopis.”
(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.29.1)

Hearing that divine melody, the gopis abandoned all worldly duties and ran to Krishna, symbolizing the soul’s complete surrender to the call of divine love.

The Spiritual Essence
The Rasa Lila is not an ordinary dance – it is the symbol of the soul’s loving relationship with God. Each movement, song, and glance in the Rasa Lila expresses the perfection of devotion (bhakti-rasa).

· The gopis represent pure, unconditional love, free from selfish desire.

· Krishna’s flute represents the call of the divine, drawing all souls back to God.

· The moonlit night of Kartika symbolizes the brightness of pure consciousness illuminated by devotion.

This pastime teaches that when the heart becomes purified through chanting and service, one can experience the eternal joy of being in Krishna’s loving presence.

Observance of Rasayatra
On Sri Krishna Rasayatra, devotees in Vrindavan and all over the world engage in:

· Special kirtan and bhajan glorifying the Rasa Lila pastimes.

· Reading from Srimad Bhagavatam (Rasa Panchadhyaya chapters).

· Lamp offerings and decorating the Deities beautifully in white or moon-colored attire.

· Night-long kirtans and dance performances depicting Krishna’s Rasa Lila.

· Distribution of sweet rice (ksira) , as Sharad Purnima is also known for Krishna’s pastimes of relishing this divine delicacy under the full moon.

In Vrindavan, devotees especially visit places like Vamsivata, Seva Kunja, and Rasa Sthali, where Lord Krishna performed His Rasa dance. These spots become filled with devotion, music, and the sound of holy names.