Celebrating Deepotsav in Braj, the Festival of Lights

Celebrating Deepotsav in Braj, the Festival of Lights

Meta description: Celebrations in temples of Vrindavan. Plan a trip to Vrindavan this October-November and experience the culture of Braj.

Introduction

Deepotsav, the festival of light, celebrates the unique culture of Braj associated with the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna. This month-long festival is celebrated annually in the auspicious month of Kartik (October-November). As per the name, Deepotsav is celebrated by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) with devotion and offering them to the Deities of Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna, by the devotees. Temples of Braj illuminate with the lights of millions of lamps on this occasion. 

Kartik Deepotsav celebrates the sacredness of our culture and tradition with a profound essence of devotion, enriching experience and unwavering enthusiasm. Moreover, it underlines the beautiful relationship and causeless mercy of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, for His devotees. Read more to understand the significance of Kartik Deepotsav in Braj and a lot more.

Significance of Kartik Month:

Kartik month is often considered the most spiritually potent of all months in the Vedic calendar. In the Padma Purana, Lord Vishnu declares that Kartik month is dear to Him, and all pious deeds during this time yield eternal spiritual merits. Kartik is also significant for its association with Krishna’s Damodara-lila (pastime of being bound by ropes), which emphasizes the loving bondage between the Lord and His devotees.

Damodara-lila:

Kartik Deepotsav commemorates the famous Damodara-lila, where young Krishna was bound by Mother Yashoda’s love and determination. Though Krishna is the Supreme, He allowed Himself to be “bound” by the ropes of His mother's affection, symbolizing that even God agrees to be controlled by His devotees, who bind Him through pure love and devotion. This lila is cherished among devotees as it reveals the intimate relationship between Krishna and His devotees, especially emphasizing bhakti (devotion) over all other forms of worship.

When little Krishna was caught stealing butter, Mother Yashoda tied Him to a mortar with a rope as a punishment. In Sanskrit, dāma means "ropes," and udara means "the abdomen; hence Lord Krishna was called Damodara.

When Mother Yaśhodā saw the pot broken, she could understand that this was the work of Krishna, and therefore she went to search for Him. When she entered the room, she saw Krishna standing on the ulūkhala, a large mortar for grinding spices. Having turned the mortar upside down, He was stealing butter hanging from a swing and was distributing the butter to the monkeys.

As soon as Krishna saw that His Mother had come, He immediately began to run away, and Mother Yashoda began to follow Him. After going some distance, Mother Yashoda was able to catch Krishna, and Krishna began to cry out of fear for His mother. Mother Yashoda then decided to mildly punish Him by binding Him with a rope.

Surprisingly, when Mother Yashoda tried to tie the rope, the rope with which she wanted to bind Him was short by a distance equal to the width of two fingers or two inches. When she made the rope longer by adding another rope, she again saw that it was short by two fingers. Repeatedly she tried, and again and again, she found the rope too short by two inches. Thus she became very tired, and Krishna, seeing His affectionate Mother so tired, He became merciful to her and agreed to be bound. 

You might wonder how the Supreme Personality of the Godhead can be bound by a rope. By His one plenary portion as Paramātmā, the Lord controls innumerable universes with all their demigods, yet He agrees to be controlled by a devotee.

Srimad Bhagavatam explains that Krishna performed childhood activities to increase the pleasure of His devotees. He exhibited these activities not only to the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi, but also to others who were captivated by His external potency and opulence. In this way, He increased the pleasure of His devotees like the Vrajavāsīs, by His childhood activities.

The curse of Nalakuvara and Manigriva 

The story of Nalakuvara and Manigriva holds a deep significance and connection with the divine pastime of Lord Krishna’s Damodar Lila. 

कृष्णस्तु गृहकृत्येषु व्यग्रायां मातरि प्रभु: ।

अद्राक्षीदर्जुनौ पूर्वं गुह्यकौ धनदात्मजौ ॥ २२ ॥

As mentioned in ŚB 10.9.22, While Mother Yashoda was very busy with household affairs after bounding little Krishna by rope, the Supreme Lord, Krishna, observed twin trees known as yamala-arjuna, who in their previous lives had been the sons of Kuvera, the treasurer of the demigods.

Who were Nalakuvara and Manigriva?

Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva were opulent and fortunate sons of Kuvera but because of their false prestige and pride, they were cursed to become trees by Narada Muni. By the curse, they become twin arjuna tees and remained in the courtyard of Mother Yashoda and Nanda Maharaja. As described in ŚB 10.10.20-22, 

यदिमौ लोकपालस्य पुत्रौ भूत्वा तम:प्लुतौ ।

न विवाससमात्मानं विजानीत: सुदुर्मदौ ॥ २० ॥

अतोऽर्हत: स्थावरतां स्यातां नैवं यथा पुन: ।

स्मृति: स्यान्मत्प्रसादेन तत्रापि मदनुग्रहात् ॥ २१ ॥

वासुदेवस्य सान्निध्यं लब्ध्वा दिव्यशरच्छते ।

वृत्ते स्वर्लोकतां भूयो लब्धभक्ती भविष्यत: ॥ २२ ॥

These two young men, Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, are by fortune the sons of the great demigod Kuvera, but because of false prestige and madness after drinking liquor, they are so fallen that they are naked but cannot understand that they are. Therefore, because they are living like trees (for trees are naked but are not conscious), these two young men should receive the bodies of trees. This will be a proper punishment. Nonetheless, after they become trees and until they are released, by my mercy, they will have remembrance of their past sinful activities. Moreover, by my special favor, after the expiry of one hundred years by the measurement of the demigods, they will be able to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, face to face, and thus revive their real position as devotees.

How Lord Krishna freed the twin brothers from the curse?

It is also considered as an extended and significant part of Damodar-Lila, where the twin brothers Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva were delivered by Lord Krishna. This divine pastime exhibited by the Supreme Personality of Godhead gave the brothers an opportunity to understand the importance of rendering devotional service to Lord Krishna. 

बालेन निष्कर्षयतान्वगुलूखलं तद्

दामोदरेण तरसोत्कलिताङ्‍‍घ्रिबन्धौ ।

निष्पेततु: परमविक्रमितातिवेप-

स्कन्धप्रवालविटपौ कृतचण्डशब्दौ ॥ २७ ॥

ŚB 10.10.27 explains that by dragging behind Him with great force the wooden mortar tied to His belly, Krishna uprooted the two trees. By the great strength of the Supreme Lord, the two trees, with their trunks, leaves and branches, trembled severely and fell to the ground with a great crash.

तत्र श्रिया परमया ककुभ: स्फुरन्तौ

सिद्धावुपेत्य कुजयोरिव जातवेदा: ।

कृष्णं प्रणम्य

शिरसाखिललोकनाथं

बद्धाञ्जली विरजसाविदमूचतु: स्म ॥ २८ ॥

ŚB 10.10.28 mentions, thereafter, in that very place where the two arjuna trees had fallen, two great, perfect personalities, who appeared like fire personified, came out of the two trees. The effulgence of their beauty illuminating all directions, with bowed heads they offered obeisances to Krishna, and with hands folded, they offered prayers.

Importance of Kartik Deepostsav

Kartik Deepotsav amplifies the festive atmosphere celebrated to honor the divine pastimes of Lord Damodar in His favourite month of Kartik. During this month-long celebration, devotees offer ghee lamps to the Lord Krishna every day and sing Damodarashtakam, which is dedicated to the Damodar lila of Lord Krishna. Lord Damodar is particularly worshipped, while devotees observe Damodar Vrata with strict vows. Deepdaan Seva is considered auspicious in the month of Kartik to receive the blessings of Lord Damodar. 

Kartik Deepotsav Celebration in Braj 

Kartik month is considered as an important and auspicious time for the devotees of Lord Krishna. Deepotsav in Braj is celebrated with great joy and devotion. Devotees pray to Lord Krishna for the well-being and prosperity of their loved ones. The Deities are adorned in special decorations and dresses, and temples of Braj glow with the radiance of the hundreds of ghee lamps. Grand aarti and melodious kirtans fill the atmosphere with festive celebrations.

Kartik Deepotsav Celebration in Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir

Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, the upcoming tallest temple in the world situated in Vrindavan, have planned a month-long festival in this auspicious Kartik month, where the devotees offer ghee lamps to Lord Krishna and offer an arati every evening at 8 PM by singing a special song called ‘Damodarashtakam’. After which, devotees get the opportunity to offer the ghee lamps to the Deities of Sri Radha Vrindavanchandra, followed by Pallaki Utsav.

During this auspicious month, the Utsav Deities of Sri Radha Vrindavanchandra will be offered nauka vihar (boat ride) in the Chandrodaya Sarovar, grand boat ride in River Yamuna, and Shobha Yatra as part of the Vrindavan Kartik Utsav.

You can attend and join the festivities with this link:- https://www.youtube.com/@VrindavanChandrodayaMandir

We invite you to attend the grand celebration of Kartik Deepotsav with us at Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir in the sacred land of Vrindavan and experience spiritually rich and culturally vibrant festivities.