Deepavali Damodara Launch

By Srivas Caitanya Das

DEEPAVALI DAMODARA 2009 OFFICIAL LAUNCH

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

The launch of the 2009 Deepavali Damodara Festival in Malaysia was highly anticipated by the devotees of Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON Kuala Lumpur (SJMKL) for two reasons. One was that the venue of the launch was to be at the temple premises itself, unlike previous years when it was held in the Kuala Lumpur city centre. The other major reason for the excitement and joy was that this year’s launch was to be graced by the presence of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaja. HH is very dear to the devotees of the Malaysian yatra, most being his disciples.

A popular local political figure, YB Datuk Saravanan, Deputy Minister of the Federal Territory and Vice President of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) was also invited to grace the launch of the Deepavali Damodara Festival. The launch took place on the 4^th of October 2009, a day before the commencement of the Damodara Masa. The evening event commenced with a speech by the organizing chairman, HG Srivas Caitanya Dasa, who is also the Congregational Development (CD) Minister at SJMKL. HH Jayapataka Swami then shared his views with the congregation where he expressed joy and happiness at SJMKL devotees making the special effort during the month of Damodhar to spread KC amongst more people in Malaysia. Maharaj’s speech was followed by a multimedia video presentation, wherein on the success and organizational mechanics of the Damodara program, as handled by the Congregational Development Ministry (CDM) of Sri Jagannatha Mandir over the past years was outlined. Thereafter, a theatrical performance of the Damodara Lila was presented by the TASK Team of SJMKL.

The evening’s highlight was the entourage to usher the arrival of the Deputy Minister. The grand welcoming procession was made up of a cow and calf; to usher in auspiciousness and this party was also made up of a procession of drummers, trumpeters and traditionally dressed “gopis and gopas”.

After the launch was initiated by YB Datuk Saravanan, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaja offered a ghee lamp to officially commemorate the launch. HH’s gesture opened the avenue for the assembled devotees to offer ghee lamps individually to His Lordship.

For the next 45 days, the whole of the Malaysian yatra will be busy going from home to home, making it possible for the general public to offer ghee lamps to His Lordship seeking his causeless mercy.

As part of an international sharing effort, the CDM of SJMKL has provided various other yatras in Australia, Philippines, Bombay, Pune, Delhi, Chennai, South Africa, Fiji and Mauritius with the updated Damodara kit. The 2009 kit comprises an altar calendar for offering the ghee lamps and a booklet explaining the Damodara Program.

With the bleesings of Lord Sri Damodara, Their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subadra Maiya and Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasunder, we pray that the Damodara Program will bring inspiration to other ISKCON Centres and facilitate the spreading of Krishna Consciousness, fulfilling the aspirations of HDG Swami Srila Prabupada.

A soft copy of the alter-calendar and the booklet is available here
http://rghost.net/513715

A soft copy of the alter-calendar and the booklet is attached herein. For pictures on the event, click http://picasaweb.google.com/dr.srivas/DeepavaliDamodara2009OfficialLaunch?feat=directlink

VOICE DAMODARA PROGRAM IN ORPHANAGE

By Bhaktin Shobna Shree

29 NOV 08, BANDAR TASIK SELATAN, KUALA LUMPUR–

The mataji’s division of the Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture and Education (V.O.I.C.E) organized a Damodara Orphanage Program in Senbhagavalli Ashram. This event was coordinated and led by Bhaktin Rohyini. The program was organized to provide an opportunity for the children to offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara and also to show our love and support to the underprivileged children.

BHAKTIVEDANTA CULTURAL CENTRE (BCC) DAMODARA PROGRAM REPORT

By Yaduvhir Krsna Dasa

Hare Krsna.

All glories to Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga.

All glories to Srila Prabupada.

Please accept my humble obeisances. 

As the most auspicious Damodara month is over, I would like present the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre (BCC) Damodara House Program and Harinam report for the year 2008. The devotees at BCC got caught up with “Damodara Fever” and worked together to organize Damodara House Program and Harinam. For the first time, Damodara Harinam was introduced to the district of Seberang Perai which comprises Hujung Batu, Bagan Dalam, Kampung Manis, Taman Inderawasih, Kampung Bagan Serai and Mak Mandin. BCC managed to visit 616 houses and during this process, 4679 people had the opportunity to offer ghee lamp to Lord Damodara.  

Damodara house program consist of events such as bhajan, narration of the Lord’s pastimes, explanation of the rationale behind conducting this program and its expansion, singing of Damodarastakam along with offering of Ghee lamps and lastly distribution of prasadam. The Damodara Harinam program consists of kirtan along the streets, singing of Damodarastakam, offering of Ghee Lamp and distributions of prasadam. 

I would like to thank BCC Management especially HG Kalesha Dasa, HG Shanty Vrdana Chaitanya Dasa and all the devotees for all their effort and hard work to make this year’s Damodara House and Harinam program successful one. By the mercy of Guru and Gauranga, we hope to emulate this feat next year by conducting Damodara Harinam at a larger scale.

Damodara Deepavali Festival at Schools

By Prakash Arumugam

HareKrsna
 
AGTSP
AGTSGG
  
Please accept my pranams.
 
It was really joyful and excited moments with full of challenges. I could not describe any better words for whatever happens through out the session of organizing the whole events. I am thanking all devotees who have partaken in making this event a successful. The guidance of my advisor HG GauraChandra Dass was one of key factor I would say. Not forgetting the CD Leaders and support of the Harinam Council Leader as well as the members. My two secretaries who have contribute most of their time in making the arrangement so nicely even at critical time constrain and some difficulties arise at the last moments. Their effort was simply amazing. Also for our well-wishers of this project and the devotees who put their full effort in certain school with less guidance and support from us. I am very much glad our congregations have such responsible and considerable devotees. Please accept my humble obeisance unto you all again.
 
 
The School Damodara Team is looking more similar supports from the congregation in coming year. Meanwhile I would like to beg your apologies for whatever mistakes or problem that we have overlooked in making this event. We will definitely try our level best to improve with better solution in coming year. Your comment is really appreciated. Please let us know your suggestion.
 
 
Below are the scores for the events, for the pleasure of our Lordship Jaganath Baladev and Subathra. The team is dedicating this for the well being of our beloved Guru Maharaj HH Jayapataka Maharaj. Let our Guru Maharaj get well very soon.
 
 
By the way, below are the latest updates from us;
 
No of school done:                     16 schools
 
No of programs conducted:         18 programs
 
No of offerings:                           5,575 lamps
 
 
That mean we have exceeded our target of 15 schools. The organizing committee would like to thank again all the all devotees who have involved directly and indirectly to the success of this program.

Damodar Maha Harinam

By Ramananda Gaura Dasa

Hare Krishna, Dandavat Pranama
All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to Damodara Month
All Glories To Harinama Sankirtanam

The Harinam Sankirtan Ministry of SJMKL organised the Maha Damodara Harinam on Sunday 16th November 2008. Harinams were conducted in different locations around Klang Valley. A total of 34
Harinam teams and 736 homes were visited on that day, 140 devotees participated in Rawang and the rest..approx 90 devotees around Klang valley. Many first timers joined us …and its definately not the last for them.
Besides Rawang other areas includes Kajang/Cheras/Ampang/Segambut/Balakong/ ShahAlam/ OUG/ Taman Medan/ Sentosa. Reflecting last years Damodar Harinam  in Kepong … we visited 350 homes
with 120 devotees and within one year we have multiplied…and it was spontaneous response…we reckon in years to come we will have thousands marching in every town and village chanting the Holy Names.

Virtually every devotee in our Yatra will vouch on the joy of going out chanting the Holy Name. During the month of Damodar practically all our congregation devotees areengaged in Harinam.
Fyi…we conduct 4 Maha Harinams in a year…the last being Damodar ….

 
We like to thank our congregation devotees, HG Vrindavanchandra pr defying his discomforts to lead us in Rawang HG Sundaram pr and wife for the breakfast and HG Sulocana mataji to host all the devotees for lunch in her home. Members of the Harinam Council  Prakash pr, Saravanakugan pr, Kumar pr and Isvara Gopal Dasa pr who planned and coordinated the Maha Harinam event.

In Vaishnava Service
Ramananda Gaura Dasa
Harinam Sankirtan Ministry
SJMKL

Damodara program @ Sri Renganatha Temple – Kajang

By Uttama Caitanya Das

Hare Krishna.

Sri Renganathar Temple, Kajang, is one of the few Vaisnavas temples in Klang Valley.

The presiding Deities, Sri Renganatha and Sri Renganayaki are very sweet and merciful. For us this temple fondly reminds us of the original temple in Sri Rengam.

After the recent renovation, the temple pervades with a wonderful, divine ambience.

The Damodara programme has now made it into the temple?s annual calendar of events since the last four years. Thanks to Bhakta Jayaraman and the Kajang yatra, the event is gaining in pomposity and gaiety every year.

On Saturday, 8th November, close to 300 temple patrons were treated to a Damodara festival extravaganza.

The evening setting was perfect. At 8.00pm, Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Deities were carried majestically around the temple on palanquin with the accompaniment of kirtan and nadaswaram. Two matajis walked in front carrying ghee lamps. This was followed by at least 50 devotees.

After the procession, the Deities were placed on a beautiful chariot-like altar in the darsan hall. That was followed by a multi-media aided class by our humble self for 40 minutes.

One commendable feature about the patrons of this temple is their rapt attention during discourses. It is rarity nowadays in Hindu temples.

Simultaneously, the children were treated with a colouring competition.

One new, interesting feature this year was the ‘kummi” dance by a group of ladies, who danced to a folk song sung by Bh Kamalanathan. Next was the men’s turn. This sort of performance is a regular feature in South Indian temples performed for the pleasure of the Deities.

Finally, it was time for ghee lamp offering. While Damodarastaka was being sung, everyone eagerly and orderly came forward to offer ghee lamps to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Sri Sri Yasoda-Damodara.

Amazingly, more than 300 ghee lamps were offered!

Nothing is complete without the feast. A deletactable array of items – basmati rice, vegetable kurma, meal-maker subjee, mix vegetable, pakora, chips, chutney and halwa -was served out much to the delight of the devotees.

The real success of the this programme is measured in how we can inspire others to serve Krishna in one way or other, specifically to offer ghee lamps to the Lord in this auspicious month.

It was a hearty feeling to know that a few of the patrons that evening were regularly offering ghee lamps to Krishna for the last one year after hearing about the glories of Lord Damodara.

One other family from PJS, Old Klang Road, was eager to have the picture of Lord Damodara and start the puja in their homes.

A few others came forward to inquire more on this Damodara puja.

By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, the evening was successful on many counts.

We thank Bh Jayaraman and the Kajang Nama hatta and all the devotees who assisted in the feast preparation.

May Lord Damodara shower His eternal blessings upon them.

Hare Krsna

Damodara Preaching@ local Varsities & College

DAMODARA HARINAM IN MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY (MMU), CYBERJAYA
Oct 10, MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY, CYBERJAYA (FRI)

By Bhakta Prajindra Sankar Krishnan

Srimen Gajen and Raju also got caught up with the “Damodara fever”. They worked together as a team to organize Damodara prayers at MMU and invited Srimen Hemalan, Navin Raja and Prajindra form UNITEN to help out. As they were informing their friends about the prayers, one of their friends, Thiben, voluntarily offered to host a onetime program at his apartment.

Damodara 2008 Official Launch

By Bhakta Hemalan, Bhakta Gajen & Rasika Murari dasa
Damodara 2008 Organizing Committee

The much anticipated launching of Deepavali Damodara 2008 finally took
place on Friday, 17 October 2008 (Krsna Tritiya, Damodara Masa) at KL
Sentral in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Following the huge success of last year’s Damodara program, ISKCON Kuala
Lumpur’s Sri Jagannatha Mandir took upon itself to relive the glories of
Karttika month again this year on a more grand scale. The event was
massively publicized both locally and internationally through newspapers,
radio stations, e-mails, smses, and of course the ever reliable word of
mouth.

The launching of Deepavali Damodara was to be held in conjunction with the
Deepavali Carnival ‘08, which spans for 25 days, that takes place every
year which is organized by a local NGO. This carnival is a one-stop
shopping center offering an array of items for the Festival of Lights,
which also includes our very own BBT booth and together with a booth for
Damodar ghee lamp offerings. While you’d have to trawl through many a
marketplace to find a treasure trove of trinkets, accessories and
hand-stitched embroidery, u might just find yourself offering a ghee lamp
to Lord Damodara, as did many who attended the carnival found out.

The cause of such a hype in publicizing Deepavali Damodara is simple, to
understand the significance of offering ghee lamp to the Lord during this
auspicious month. As stated in many of the Vedic Puranas, such as Padma
and Skanda Purana, offering ghee lamp to Lord Damodara during this
favorable month can eradicate sins and grant mercy of the Lord.

ISKCON KL was given the main stage to host the launching of Deepavali
Damodara and that glorious night was witnessed by an audience and well
wishers numbering in hundreds. The show began at 7.45pm to the dance of
Bharatanatyam and continued on with ISKCON’s trademark Kirtan led by HG
Gauracandra pr. whom, escorted the VIP, Dato? Kumarendran, a leading and
prominent lawyer to his seat. He is a well-wisher and has donated
handsomely for our second phase temple building project fund.

A welcoming speech, addressing the significance of Deepavali Damodara was
given by HG Simeshwara pr., by which this time, the number of audience and
onlookers swelled to around 1000 people.

Mid-way through the show, baby “Krishna” was spotted surrounded by his
Asta-Sakhis, led by the auspicious roaring of conch shells in song, he
made his way center stage started to playfully dance with his “Gopis” and
Yasoda Maiya proceeded to chase him, as per Krishna’s childhood pastimes
in Vrndavana, with no place to run, he went to the VIP seat and pulled
Dato? Kumarendran up on stage to unveil the large poster of
Damodara-lila., what seemed to be so spontaneous was carefully planed
drama.

The Deepavali Damodara officially ended at 10.30 pm with 700 people
presenting their ghee lamp offering to Lord Damodara on the stage and
honored the delicious prasadam. The event was able to instill the
significance of Deepavali and the importance of offering ghee lamps to the
Lord during this auspicious month of Karttika.

Though we don?t have Govardhan?s mercy to protect us from the evening
heavy downpour, which made the attendance dwindled for this year?s launch,
nevertheless the sheer efforts of the organizer, ISKCON Kuala Lumpur
deserved a huge applaud for continuously finding venues to bestow one and
all to take part in the glorification of that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara
Bhagavan.

Our exceptional appreciation goes to HG Srivas Caitanya pr., Srimen Raaj,
Bhaktin Gowri and the VOICE team for an amazing show.
We would also like to record our deepest gratitude to HG Simhesvara pr.
for gracing and blessing the event despite his busy schedule.

Hare Krsna

Damodara Preaching KL(Week 1)

By Rasika Murari Dasa

Hare Krsna

All glories to Srila Gurudeva
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Sri Sri Nitai and Nimai
All glories to Sri Sri Jagannatha Baladeva and Subhadra Maiya

Please accept my humble obeisances

We have ushered the sixth day of Karttika month, today and the devotees in
Kuala Lumpur are ecstatically accelerating to acquaint Lord Damodara and
the significance benefits of ghee lamp offering to the mass continually.
Enduring the evening massive traffics and the uncomfortable wet chilly
pouring conditions to reach out to larger audience needs a lot of
dedication. This wholehearted fidelity is abundantly manisfesting,
especially during the Karttika month. It is inconceivable, how Lord
Damodara magically inspiring all of us to go out sharing His glories,
practically every other day in which His embedded mercies being subtly
delivered to the resident of Kuala Lumpur (muddied confluence).

Dear Devotees…
Despite your busy daily chores, your enthusiasm in sharing your joy and
passion of Krsna Consciousness to others are truly laudable.

For the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Damodara and the Parampara, we are
appending the SJMKL Damodara 2008 scores for week 1.

Total programs: 540
Total participants: 5885

Some news from preaching fields:

My family with HG Sattvi mataji…visited the Kepong housing estate…they
were familiar with us as we had the same program last year. Many greeted
us by saying …?the Hare Krsna people are here?…in some homes. The
calendars given last year were still in their altar. Every home welcomed
us and as we moved from house to house we could hear Srila Prabhupadas
pranams from the Cds that we gave being played in some homes.

?We have developed a relationship: said HG Sattvi mataji. I remember when
we initiated this program, it was all about developing a relationship and
softening the land and the matajis words struck a chord and a flash ran
thru ? yes its about time we have to move to the next
strategy?…..giving SRILA PRABHUPADAS BOOKS….

A proper impression is crucial for a favorable reception, as Srila
Prabhupada would often quote?DRESS AND THEN ADDRESS?….Convinced …WE
ARE RIGHT ON COURSE. We visited 25 homes and 105 offering of ghee lamps.

Srimen Badmanabhan and his family visited 29 homes with 129 offerings of
ghee lamp. When we asked pr., ?what inspired your family to conduct this
program?, Pr. simply said, ?I am just fulfilling the instruction? and we
are enjoying seeing the joy of others receiving what we are giving them,
and my children have plans for the next Harinam too.

HG Maha Yogi /HG Jyotsna mataji and team of children were all dressed to
go for their Harinam. 18 homes in 2 hours, amazing feat! These children
needed no introduction to Harinam as they do these programs every year. As
usual managing them brings you the glimpse of the cowherd boys in
Vrndavan. The enthusiasms of these children are so contagious.

Srimen Prajindra ? Ever since the last Damodara operation meeting at Sri
Jagannath Mandir, Kuala Lumpur, the VOICE team was looking forward
anxiously to the debut of our varsity Damodara program. We hold the
Damodara program just after our weekly Bhagavad Gita session at the
College of Engineering, Uniten. We briefly shared the glories of Karttika
month and the method of performing ghee lamp worship to Lord Krishna.
Subsequently, all the 12 participants were given a ghee lamp to offer to
Lord Damodara. Each student received a foldable alter cum calendar, a
pamphlet containing information on the glories of Karthik month and
prasadam. All students expressed their gratitude and were very happy that
such initiative was taken to approach students at varsity level. Some even
took extra alter-calendars for their friends and promised to induce others
to offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara.

Feeling unsatisfied with numbers of offerings done, we headed towards the
boys? hostel. Upon reaching the parking lot, we invited an Indian boy to
offer ghee lamp to Lord Damodara. He became very happy and invited us to
his room where there were another 5 more boys who got the mercy of Lord
Damodara. These 5 boys, in turn help us locate their friends and
subsequently their friends told the location of their other friends? room.
In this way, we received very good response but couldn?t proceed further
as we ran out of materials. There were a total of 23 students offered ghee
lamp to Lord Damodara on that night. This would be our strategy onwards,
to keep moving from room-to-room every week to give everyone a chance to
offer a ghee lamp to Lord Damodara.

More to come in next cover