Kartik Deepotsava
Gupt Vrindavan Kartik Utsav
A month-long festival in the divine abode of Lord Krishna
Deepotsav festival is celebrated in the Gupt Vrindavan Dham with great and jubilant celebrations. Offering of ghee lamps to the Lord every day, singing the melodious Damodarashtakam and worshiping Lord Damodara are the attractive features of the month-long celebration. On the 15th day of kartik month occurs Kartik Amavasya, which is celebrated as Diwali. The celebration of Deepotsav starts from 17 October 2024 and will last up to 15 Nov 2024.
How to Celebrate Deepotsava?
Deepotsav is the festival of lamps, offered with great care and devotion to Lord Krishna in His childhood form of Lord Damodara. Kartik month is glorified as the best of months and most dear to Lord Krishna in Skanda Purana. Bathing early, performing charities and worshiping Lord Damaodara are very auspicious during Kartik month.
The deity of Lord Krishna in His childhood form, as Lord Damodara is particularly worshiped, since the pastime of mother Yashoda binding the Lord with rope happened in this month. Worshiping the Lord by presenting a ghee lamp, commonly known as deep daan during this month is immensely purifying and attracts the blessings of Lord Damodara.
Deepotsava Celebration at Gupt Vrindavan Dham
Gupt Vrindavan Dham celebrates the glorious month of Kartik with great celebrations and variegated festivities. The temple is adorned with beautiful decorations of flowers, festoons and lamps. There is organization of Deep Daan for all the temple visitors throughout the month after Shayan aarti.
The unique ghee lamps are offered to the deities of Sri Yashoda Damodara and devotees sing the Damodarashtakam prayers followed by melodious kirtan and jubilant dance. There are organization of multiple pilgrimage tours to Sri Vrindavana Dham particularly in this month since it is much praised in Skanda Purana to perform devotional service in Sri Vrindavana Dham in Kartik month.
Divine pastimes of Lord Krishna
Damodara Lila
Lord Krishna was bound by mother Yashoda with wooden mortar for stealing butter. This enchanting pastime of the Lord being bound by rope on His belly is glorified as the Damodara Lila.
Devotees offer ghee lamps to the deity of Lord Damodara in the month of Kartik to seek His merciful favour.
Govedhan Lila
Lord Krishna lifted the Goverdhan Hill to protect the residents of Vrindavan from the wrath of King Indra and the residents worshiped the Goverdhan with jubilant festivities.
The next day after Diwali the Goverdhan Puja festival is celebrated, commemorating the wonderful pastime of Lord Krishna.
Key Lessons from the Auspicious Kartik Month
The pleasing passtimes of Lord Damodara instructs that the Supreme Lord is not attainable by any other mean but only by pure devotional service. The Lord who is unconquerable can be conquered by only pure devotional service as done by mother Yashoda.
Goverdhan Lila of Lord Krishna exhibits the unlimited protection of Lord for His surrendered devotees. Lord protects one from all dangers if one surrenders unto Him by chanting Hare Krishna Mantra as Lord Krishna confirms in the Bhagavad-Gita.
Offer Deepdaan Seva and Receive Blessings
Seize the unique opportunity of Kartik month to progress in peace, prosperity and spiritual path. Donate liberally to offer ghee lamps in your name in the auspicious month of Kartik to yield unlimited favor of Lord Krishna. Offer Deep Dann in this Deepotsav to brighten your life with the blessings of Lord Damodara.
