Deepotsava is a month long festival celebrated in the month of Kartik. It is also known as the festival of offering Lights to Lord Krishna and commemorates Damodar Lila- the sweet past time of baby Krishna stealing butter and consequently being tied to a mortar by mother Yashoda. In Sanskrit, “dama” means rope and “udara” means belly. Damodara refers to Krishna who was bound with a rope by His mother Yashoda. In this month offering a ghee lamp to Lord Krishna is very pleasing.

Every evening the temple is decorated with thousands of lamps. Light from hundreds of lamps placed before the altar spread transcendental radiance across the main temple hall, elevating the spirit of devotion. Every day celebrations starts with Tulsi & Sandhya Arti. Post that a brief discourse on significance of Kartik month and Damodar lila is narrated to the assembled devotees. Following that, the devotees start singing melodious kirtans and the altar opens. The glorious sight of deities in the midst of smoke enthralls everyone. A grand arati is performed as the devotees sing the Damodarashtaka song. After the arati, all the assembled devotees get an opportunity to offer ghee lamps to Their Lordships followed by prasadam.

Kartik or Damodar month is one of holiest and glorious of all months. Any little pious activity yields huge result. Devotees perform various austerities and penances to please Lord Krishna in this month. Our Scriptures says-

“If somebody performs even a little worship of Lord Sri Hari in this, He offers that devotee His own abode.”

“If somebody burns a lamp in the temple of Lord Sri Hari even for a short time in the month of Kartik, then whatever sins, he has acquired for millions of births are all destroyed.”