An initiative by Congregational Development Ministry
Damodara arati on the streets of Argentina
As Kartik month approaches, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the remarkable journey of the Damodara Outreach Program (DOP). What began as a humble initiative in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2004, has blossomed into a global movement that resonates with devotees everywhere.
The vision behind DOP was simple yet profound: to spread the love and teachings of Lord Damodara during this sacred month. With heartfelt enthusiasm, a small group of devotees in Kuala Lumpur embarked on a mission to share the significance of Kartik and offer a chance to everyone to receive the special blessings of this sacred month.
From those early days, the program’s warmth and sincerity attracted many, and it quickly caught on.
Through innovative outreach methods, such as setting up a Damodara altar on a park bench or knocking door to door with a wicker basket carrying the sweet Lord, DOP became a beacon of devotion. The message of devotion and the practice of Kartik became a source of inspiration for countless individuals, transcending borders and cultures.
House program in Belfast
Damodar arati on the streets of Hong Kong
Devotees going door to door in East London
Mobile temple in Durban, South Africa
Damodar arati at the Yoga Studio in Mexico
Significance of Damodara Month
To understand the essence of the Damodara Outreach Program (DOP), it’s essential to appreciate the significance of Damodar month, also known as Kartik month. This year, Damodar month spans from October 17 to November 15, 2024, marking a period of heightened devotion and spiritual opportunity.
The name “Damodara” itself holds profound meaning, derived from the Sanskrit words “dam” (cord) and “udhar” (belly). This refers to the cord that Mother Yashoda used to bind young Krsna, symbolizing the loving connection between the divine and His devotees. Damodara month is celebrated for the unique spiritual benefits it offers, as highlighted in various scriptures.
In “Nectar of Devotion,” Prabhupada emphasizes the immense power of performing devotional service during Kartik month. Engaging in acts of devotion, especially offering ghee (clarified butter) lamps to images of Lord Damodara, is considered especially auspicious. Moreover, encouraging others to participate amplifies the blessings manifold.
Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa by Sanatana Goswami, mentions why of the twelve months, this month is particularly dear to Sri Krsna. In text 77, it mentions that when one offers a lamp during the month of Kārtika, his sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eye blink.
History in the making
Since its inception in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2004, the Damodara Outreach Program (DOP) has experienced remarkable growth as devotees have increasingly recognized its immense potential.
Congregational Development Ministry has been instrumental in spreading the reach of Damodara Outreach programs around the globe. Over the years countless hours have been spent in contacting devotees far and wide to share the good news of a simple program with such powerful results. CDM also created an app called LAMP A DAY, for easy reporting of how many lamps were offered each year.
CDM App for reporting lamps, books, for collecting new contacts and much more
From the very beginning, the initiative has seen a steady rise in the number of lamps reported by devotees worldwide. In 2017, 1.2 million lamps were documented, followed by 2.6 million in 2018 and 3.4 million in 2019. Despite the challenges of the 2020 lockdowns, devotees adapted and still managed to offer 1.7 million lamps through gatherings on Zoom. The momentum continued to build, with the number surpassing 6 million in 2022 and reaching an impressive 7 million in 2023.
This steady growth is a testament not only to the unwavering dedication of the devotees but also to the increasing recognition of the program’s vital role in promoting love and devotion during the sacred month of Kartik. As more individuals engage with the outreach, the impact of their collective efforts continues to ripple out, fostering a deeper spiritual connection within communities around the world.
How DOP contributes in spreading Krsna Consciousness?
- DOP provides an accessible way for individuals from all backgrounds to serve Lord Krsna. Many devotees across various countries have found that most people are eager to light a lamp or candle in front of a picture of the charming little boy, viewing it as a celebration of Indian culture.
- Offering lamps to Lord Damodar serves as a powerful gateway to broader outreach initiatives, such as the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books and prasadam.
- This practice enhances engagement and cultivates stronger connections within the congregation. As devotees come together to participate in offering lamps, they share experiences and stories, deepening their relationships.
- It creates an excellent opportunity to connect with new individuals for upcoming programs such as Gita courses or Bhakti Vriksha.
- When a family gathers for this program, it strengthens their bonds and nurtures a deeper sense of togetherness. Sharing in the experience of devotion—lighting lamps, singing prayers, and participating in rituals—creates lasting memories.
House program in Thiruvananthapuram, India
Various Approaches to Implement DOP
- This program provides a wonderful opportunity to grihasta (house holders) devotees by hosting a home program where you invite neighbors, friends, and extended family. This can include reading from Srimad Bhagavatam, specifically Canto 10, Chapter 9, or engaging in Harinam kirtan while lighting lamps.
- Another impactful way to implement DOP is by organizing programs in schools or hospitals. With the necessary permissions, devotees can bring a photo of Lord Damodar along with lamps, inviting students, patients, and staff to participate by lighting a lamp in front of the image. If time allows, sharing a brief recounting of Lord Damodar’s pastimes can enhance the experience, enriching their understanding and creating a meaningful connection to Damodar.
- Setting up tables in busy areas, such as near parks or outside temples, provides a great opportunity for outreach. This allows devotees to engage with the community directly, inviting passersby to offer a lamp in front of a Damodar photo.
- Creating a ‘mobile temple’ using a rickshaw or another suitable mode of transport is an innovative way to engage with the community. This setup allows devotees to bring the essence of the temple experience directly to neighborhood and allows people to offer a lamp.
- Incorporating DOP into other festival celebrations, like Diwali, is a wonderful way to enhance the spirit of devotion during this festive time.
- An online program is a fantastic way to engage devotees from around the world by sharing the pastimes of the Lord while offering lamps virtually. For instance, in Malaysia, an impressive 6,538 devotees participated simultaneously in a virtual event, lighting lamps together and celebrating their devotion. This remarkable effort not only fostered a sense of community across distances but also earned a place in the Malaysian Book of Records.
Home program in Nigeria
Nama-hatta programs in West Bengal, India
Visiting the old and sick on United Kingdom
These are just a few different ways to implement the program, but the possibilities are truly limitless. Creativity and community spirit can inspire countless innovative approaches to engage more people in the celebration of devotion.
Call to Action
Many temples and yatras may still be unaware of this effective preaching method, presenting a significant opportunity for growth and expansion. To harness the potential of this initiative on a global scale, we kindly seek your support. We humbly request your assistance in promoting this remarkable program in your community and city. Together, we can make the most of this annual opportunity to spread Krsna consciousness.
To learn more, you can visit https://bit.ly/CDMdamodara or write to cdm.damodara@gmail.com.
Our app Lamp a day was designed to collect data related to the DOP, and it also contains a collection of inspirational and instructional videos. The app offers 2 options:
- Reporting of personal/family lamp offerings at home or at smaller home programs. For this purpose, you can directly register on the app and use it to enter your numbers on a daily basis.
- Reporting of lamps that were offered at public outreach programs. This feature is reserved for program organizers/coordinators and if you are one of them, kindly contact us at cdm.damodara@gmail.com to set up your coordinator account.
The link for the app is https://lampadaycdm.web.app/
