Radha

The primary consort of the Hindu god Krishna is the goddess Radha. She is revered as the goddess of adoration, affection, tenderness, and devotion. She is described as the leader of the Gopis and the goddess Lakshmi's avatar (milkmaids). She makes an appearance as Krishna's girlfriend and friend when he is young. Radha is referred to as Krishna's wife and the eternal partner in numerous traditions and texts. As a supreme goddess, Radha is viewed as Krishna's female polar opposite and inner power (hladini shakti), who dwells in Goloka, her heavenly home. It is stated that Radha travels with Krishna in all of his incarnations.

Only Radha is revered as the highest deity in the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya and the Haridasi Sampradaya. She is also revered in other Chaitanya Mahaprabhu-related Vaishnava-Sahajiya, Nimbarka Sampradaya, Pushtimarg, Mahanam Sampraday, Swaminarayan Sampraday, and Gaudiya Vaishnavism movements. Radha is also referred to as Krishna's feminine counterpart. The annual Radhashtami celebration honors Radha's birthday.

She has influenced a great deal of literature, and the Raslila dance that she performed with Krishna has influenced a wide range of performance art.