Month of Kartik (Damodar) October 25 and ends on 24 November 2026 (Tuesday) Kartik Vrata begins on Oct 25. Daily Damodar Prayers/Aarti offering at 7 am and 7 pm Sponsor Damodara Arati for $125 for any specific day of the month. Please approach Rasikendra dasa if you want to sponsor Damodar Arati Online donation link (click here)
Diwali (Deepawali) Festival of Lights - Candle-light Aarti Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Ramachandra to Ayodhya. You all know the history of how Rama was banished from His kingdom into the forest. In the forest Ravana kidnapped Sita and took her to Lanka. Then Rama and Lakshmana searched for Sita. They made alliances with many monkey warriors, and eventually They came to the southern tip of India. They built a bridge across to Lanka, and eventually Rama killed Ravana, which is commemorated by Dussehra, or Rama-vijaya-dasami. Then Mother Sita was tested in fire, and she emerged pure. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, accompanied by other associates, returned to Ayodhya. So the residents of Ayodhya, to prepare for the Lord’s arrival, placed lamps on the rooftops and balconies–and celebrated His return. Then Lord Ramachandra was installed on the throne. So we also want to welcome Lord Rama (Lord Krishna) into our hearts. Just as we clean the temple before we install the Deity so that the temple is a fit place for the Lord to reside, similarly we each want to welcome Lord Ramachandra into our heart, to install Him on the throne in our heart. But to make our heart […]