What is it?
Damodar Month, also known as Kartik Maas, is one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar. This year it occurs from Friday, 27 October to Sunday, 26 November and it is especially dear to Srimati Radharani, Lord Krishna and their devotees.
What is its speciality?
Damodar Month is one like no other. It is exceptionally purifying and any vrata (a pious vow or activity) performed during this month with devotion yields multiple results.
It is Srimati Radharani’s (the eternal consort of Lord Krishna) favourite month and she exclusively blesses those who perform devotional service during this month.
Who is celebrated?
The sweet pastime of Lord Krishna being bound with love by Mother Yashoda with ropes is celebrated during Damodar Month, highlighting the Lord’s love, compassion and surrender unto his devotees. Hence, he is worshipped as Damodara which translates to: ropes (dāma) around His waist (udara) and Bhakta vatsala, or the lover of His devotee.
How is it celebrated?
Devotees increase their bhakti (devotional service) during the month to derive maximum benefits and blessings..
They daily offer a ghee lamp to Krishna and sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on its meaning. Offering a ghee lamp is the one of the purest forms of offering. It is said to perish the sins of thousands and millions of births in ‘half an eye blink’.
Devotees also remember Supreme Lord Hari constantly and do more Harinam Chanting (Chanting of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare).
They read and hear scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam in the association of exalted Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu) whenever possible.
