Planet ISKCON

Kartika-masa, also known as Damodar-masa, in accordance with Vaishnava calendars, is described in the scriptures as the best among months, for performing austerities for spiritual advancement.

Lord Sri Krishna says, “Of all plants, the sacred Tulasi is most dear to Me, of all months, Kartika is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days, Ekadasi is most dear.

(Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda 112.3)

The following activities may be observed throughout the entire month of Kartika.

• Japa - Chanting the Holy names of the Lord
• Worship Lord Damodara by offering ghee lamp (diyas), flowers, incense and food etc. and sing the Damodarashtakam.
• Practice Brahmacharya (celibacy)
• Daily worship of Tulasi devi by offering lamp
• Give charity
• Perform austerities
• Eat only Krishna prasadam

In the month of Kartika, one should worship Lord Damodara and recite the prayer known as Damodarashtakam, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Damodara. (Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa 2.16.198)

Virtues of Offering Deepa (Deepa-Dana)

Please hear the glories of offering a lamp/deepa during the month of Kartika, an offering that is very pleasing to Lord Krishna. O’ King of brahmanas, a person who offers a lamp in this way will not take birth again in this world.

(Text 100, Kartika-mahatmya, Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa)

Even one who never performs religious rituals or even the worst sinner will surely be purified by this offering. O’ Narada in the three worlds there is no sin that can stand before this Kartika Deepa. In fact, by presenting this deepa before Lord Krishna, the eternal abode can be reached without obstruction.

(Text 113, Kartika-mahatmya, Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa)

Here is your chance to offer a Lamp to the lord

• $51 - Sponsor a lamp on Diwali day (in family name)
• $51 - Kartika Deepa-Dana for a day
• $351 - Kartika Deepa-Dana for entire Kartika month
• $5001 - Sahasra Deepa-Alankar on Diwali day (lighting 1008 lamps/diyas)
• $108 - Fire sacrifice on Govardhan puja day (in family name)
• $551 - Fire Sacrifice Diwlai Night
• $1251 - Govardhana Parikarama with path tree planting
• $108 - Go-Puja on Go-puja day
• $ 216 - Feed a cow for a month in the holy month of Kartika (oct 8 – Nov 5 ) 

Thousands of people chanting, dancing and, of course, throwing colors - for peace, love and unity!

New Vrindaban’s third annualFestival of Colors brought out 5,000 participants to “color their lives and throw their worries to the wind!” This was the message that hit home with most all of the festival goers that day.   Everyone had the time of their lives.

“As you can see, the Festival of Colors in Moundsville today was a complete success!”  This was the declaration made by Sarafina Brooks, a reporter from the local TV Channel, WTOV 9 who appeared on TV Sat. Sept. 13, 2014 ­­covered from head to toe in green powdered chalk.  It’s clear that the local image of New Vrindaban is changing to one of peace, love and unity.

One young man who was there for his very first Festival of Colors was excited to say, “When we threw the colors up in the air, it was just like standing in the middle of a rainbow!”  Every half hour there was a wild color throw, accompanied by live music from one of five bands who played continuously throughout the day. The bands enthusiastically engaged thousands of people present in chanting the Holy Name, dancing, and throwing colors.   People also got to enjoy delectable vegetarian food known as “prasadam”, including New Vrindaban home grown, home cooked sweet potato fries and other delights.  Over 100 Krsna conscious books were sold to eager buyers.

This Festival of Colors was featured on the front page of a prominent local newspaper.  There was huge media coverage, with WTRF Channel 7, WTOV Channel 9, WV Public Radio, and three other newspapers.  Two of the TV channels even came before the Festival to do previews.  This type of coverage was unprecedented in all of New Vrindaban’s Festivals of Color to date.  Channel 7 announced, “ There might have been mostly gray skies over most of the Ohio Valley Saturday, but  there were rainbows over the Palace of Gold in Marshall County.“

Many of the guests also took tours of Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold and the Rose Gardens, wanting to know more about the beautiful and transcendental tourist attraction surrounding them.  Some bikers attended for their first time and one of them said, “This really isn’t a biker thing, but it’s a blast!  It’s all about love.  It’s a good time. Just hanging out with the people and nobody being mad.  You couldn’t do this with a bunch of bikers!”

Vrindavana das, organizer of the Festival commented, “This year it was more than just a good time.  This Ohio Valley has so many good people and they are feeling like this is becoming their festival.  People from all backgrounds are promoting love, friendship and unity.  They’re celebrating life together!  What could be better?”