Kartik Month
The month long Kartik festival starts on the 14th of October 2019 and runs for four weeks till 12th of November 2019.
Kartik is the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. It usually overlaps with the months October & November in the English calendar. Kartik Maas, also known as Damodar Maas, is described in the scriptures as the best among months for performing austerities.
Lord Shri Krishna says, “Of all plants, the sacred Tulasi is most dear to Me; of all months, Kartik is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days,Ekadashi is most dear.” (Padma Purana, Uttara Khand 112.3)
Kartik or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, glorifies Lord Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda.
The Puranas (Vedic histories) extol the month of Kartik as the topmost in the calendar. Lord Krishna’s mercy is very easily accessible in this month and to demonstrate their sincerity devotees accept different austerities such as fasting, cutting down on non-essential activities and offering charity. Worship of Tulsi and serving Lord Krishna’s cows is especially glorified.
During this time ISKCON Dhanbad organises visits to homes of devotees in Dhanbad to offer lamp to Mother Yasoda and Lord Krishna. The importance of this month is described extensively in the scriptures, especially in Srila Rupa Goswami’s Mathura Mahatmya.
Every day, we will visit a devotee’s home in dhanbad to offer a candle or ghee lamp to Lord Damodara. The Damodarastakam, a series of eight beautiful verses by the great sage Satyavrata Muni will be sung daily in the evening.
Do join us for this most wonderful celebration Daily.