Dharmasthala Deepotsava!

Come November and the whole of India lights up to festivities. The festival of lights - Diwali or Deepavali is one of the grandest of Indian festivals. In South India, the five day celebrations is the most illustrious in the Dakshina Kannada district of Dharmasthala! The Laksha Deepotsava is a spectacular annual event at Sri Kshetra, Dharmasthala.

The Manjunatha temple at Dharmasthala, widely known as Sri Kshetra is an absolute spectacle during Deepavali. A row of lights is the literal translation of the word 'Deepavali'. Like all festivals, Deepavali too has many a legends behind it. Lord Krishna is said to have killed the demon Narakasura and hence people joyfully burn crackers to commemorate the victory of good over evil. It is symbolic of erasing the evil of ignorance and rekindling the good of knowledge. The lighting of lamps signifies the killing of darkness and upholding the light of knowledge.

The temple committee at Dharmasthala organises a special event called 'Laksha Deepotsava' where one lakh lamps are lit to celebrate the importance of awareness and knowledge. Such profound philosophical probings do not just end with the lighting of lamps at the Dharmasthala temple for it facilitates en number of activities that provoke minds and hearts alike.

Dharma means righteousness; sthala means place. Dharmasthala is the place which puts righteousness in practice like no other! Religious paradoxes co-exist with absolutely no restrain. And that is the spirit of Deepavali too. It doesn't matter which faith one belongs to, celebrations see no low.

Food and shelter are uninterruptedly provided both on physical and philosophical fronts at Dharmasthala. People never leave the temple feeling hungry. The temple observes daily ritual of anna daana which is the limitless service of food to all visitors. It is as though Dharma has extended its arms to the society at large. The local self-help communities and employment opportunities facilitated by the temple authorities is worth a mention.

During Deepavali hundreds of thousands visit the temple and are left with no words looking at the illuminated temple. One lakh lamps are lit throughout the five days to please the Lord. The annual car festival also takes place during this time. The temple idol of Lord Manjunatha is carried by devotees and taken to different corners of the town. Artists from different parts of Karnataka join to perform in praise of the Lord. The Deepavali celebrations here are sure to entice you. Do mark your calendars this Deepavali for it's going to be a magical one with your visit to the temple town of Dharmasthala.