By Rati Gopika Devi Dasi
ISKCON Malaysia Headquarters, Sri Jagannatha Mandir in Kuala Lumpur, achieved a record during the 2023 Damodara month with 222,709 lamps offered and 19,821 plates of prasadam shared. Out of this, a team of devotees conducted the Damodara Program, also known as Deepa-Damodara Program, at 25 local primary schools (ages 5-12), facilitating the offering of 104,747 lamps and the distribution of 8,656 plates of prasadam.
The Damodara Month initiative, inspired by HH Srila Jayapataka Swami, involves devotees from across Malaysia visiting schools, prisons, homes, orphanages, and even pedestrians on the streets, inviting them to show a lamp to Lord Damodar and receive prasadam. The glories of showing lamps during this month spreads the mercy and blessings from Lord Damodara to thousands.
The spokesperson and coordinator for Schools’ Damodara Preaching, HG Rasa Parayana das (Co-Temple President), said, “The Damodara Programs have been going on since the early 2000s, but this year is the first year where we had a total of 25 local schools participating with a grand total of lamps offered in all the schools achieving a significant number of 104,747 lamps. This was possible only due to good planning and an efficient team.” He also added that the team came early to help cook and pack the prasadam so more schools could be served, while others ensured the safety of the children while showing the lamps to Lord Damodara.
The entire team is now inspired to do more next year. The children’s roar of the Maha Mantra and their enthusiasm in showing lamps to Lord Damodara were very inspiring and unique at the same time. The Damodara preaching is a very effective way of connecting with the local Hindu community, as it is well-received and cherished by them. Through this preaching, a large part of the community has become great well-wishers of ISKCON, and their faith in Lord Krishna (Damodara) is strengthened. To view a video of the preaching initiative, click here.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Lord Damodara!
To follow the inspiring service of devotees in Malaysia, visit their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-malaysia-reaches-1000s-with-creative-school-initiative-during-damodara/
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