What is Hitotsav, Why is it Celebrated, and Why is the 550th Hitotsav Particularly Noteworthy?

Hitotsav, as the name suggests, is a festival of benevolence. This benevolence is the fundamental principle and essence of the Shri Radhavallabh tradition. They say that benevolence is the ultimate limit of selfless love, in which the lover makes every effort to make their beloved happy and no other desires remain. Any other desire is meaningless.

The magnitude of love/kindness is such that even Lord Shriji is submissive to it. Thus, benevolence is known as Shri-Hit. In the arena of love, Radha and Krishna, both adolescents, never lose to one another. This generosity is the mutual affection that exists in Radha and Krishna's hearts. Their generosity is also the cause of their happiness, which is found in their lovely Vrindavan residence. Those devotees whose objective in life is to provide happiness to Lord Shriji are those who embody this spirit of goodness.

Shri Hit appears in four different forms: a flute, a friend, an essence within Priya Lal's heart, and an Acharya. Shri Hit appeared as an Acharya on the day of Mohini Ekadashi in the year 1530 of Shri Harivansh Mahaprabhu's birth, near Mathura in the village of Badgram. The festival of Hitotsav is celebrated in honour of this auspicious manifestation.

This day, Shri-Hit emerged as an Acharya to demonstrate the way of goodness to everyone. By accepting this generosity in one's heart, a devotee might approach Lord Shriji's feet and earn the right to serve Him.

• The clear crystal river flows,
• New branches of trees sway.

As during the time of the Lord's birth, nature becomes auspicious, similarly, with the appearance of Shri Hit, the dried-up Sarovar (lake) became full of water and new leaves sprouted on dry trees. This means that without love, everything is dry and lifeless, but with the influence of love/Shri Hit, even the lifeless becomes alive.

The celebration on the day of Mohini Ekadashi in 1530, when Hitji Maharaj was born in Bad Gram, is described. The divine beings of all people stood in the sky and played the sounds of Tat-Chin Dev Dundubi, Jai Jai, and the sur, chilling the hearts of all people. Since the coming of Hit brings Hit's light, which cools the hearts of everyone. Today, we are all celebrating the 550th Hitotsav in the presence of Acharya Tilakayat Adhikari Ji, a descendant of Shri Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji, who has been celebrated under his protection for the previous 549 years with total zeal and delight.

Under the direction of Tilakayat Adhikari Goswami Shri Hit Mohit Maral Ji (Tilakayat Adhikari Ji), the Hitotsav has become even more grand, unique, and important as it celebrates its 500th anniversary this year. The bond between Shri Radhavallabh Lal Ji and an ordinary person is only the Hita, which brings a person closer to Shriji; otherwise, one cannot approach Shriji through charity, knowledge, meditation, austerity, etc.