The youngest of the aṣṭa-sakhīs, Chitra is gentle, graceful, and deeply artistic. With her hands she paints, with her eyes she smiles, and with her heart she surrenders. She silently serves Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī by capturing divine beauty in art and color, reminding us that devotion can be quiet — yet powerful.

Yesterday, as we celebrated her appearance day here in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpura, it marked not just her own festival but also the closing of this year’s month-long Aṣṭa-sakhī celebrations. From August through September, we journeyed through the appearance days of each of these eight principal sakhīs, learning of their personalities, their services, and their eternal roles in Rādhārāṇī’s intimate circle.

The celebration of Chitra Sakhi’s appearance was nothing short of blissful. The temple echoed with kīrtans and bhajans, little children came forward with their heartfelt offerings, and the atmosphere was alive with joy. Devotees offered their talents—through music, dance, and drumming—as a humble service to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava and Their beloved sakhīs. It was as if the entire community came together to honour the silent, gentle service of Chitra by offering their own creative gifts in devotion.

And so, with her festival, the curtains gently closed on this year’s Aṣṭa-sakhī season. It has been a period of great enlightenment, sweetness, and spiritual nourishment. Through these festivals, we not only learned about the sakhīs but also felt invited to serve them with our own hearts. We pray that, wherever you may have joined from—whether in person or from afar—something of this celebration touched your soul.

As we look ahead, may Chitra Sakhi inspire us to find beauty in service, to embrace the quiet strength of devotion, and to keep our hearts open for another year of seva and celebration.
 

Śrī Chitra Sakhi ki JAI!