What is the Karthika Deepa initiative in Udupi?

The Karthika Deepa initiative is a grassroots effort to revive the traditional Deepotsava festival in Udupi, India, by supporting struggling temples and empowering local artisans.

How many temples does Udupi have, and what is the condition of many of them?

Udupi is home to an estimated 1,600 temples, but only 20% are classified as A-grade, while many others lack the resources to celebrate even essential festivals.

What is the goal of the Udupi Darshan program under Karthika Deepa?

The Udupi Darshan program aims to donate sets of 1,008 mud diyas, 2,000 cotton wicks, and five liters of til/sesame oil to at least 50 temples in Udupi this year, with the goal of "sparking hope in communities" and preserving the region's cultural heritage.

Home / Lifestyle / Grassroots Initiative Revives Udupi's Deepotsava Festival

Grassroots Initiative Revives Udupi's Deepotsava Festival

6 Oct

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Summary

Karthika Deepa initiative launched 4 years ago to support temples
Aims to donate 1,008 mud diyas, 2,000 cotton wicks, and 5 liters of oil to 50 temples
Combines faith, craftsmanship, and community support to preserve cultural heritage

Grassroots Initiative Revives Udupi's Deepotsava Festival

In Udupi, India, a grassroots initiative called Karthika Deepa is working to revive the traditional Deepotsava festival. Launched about four years ago by two local youths, the initiative is now being led by conservationist and vaastu consultant Tejaswi S Acharya.

Acharya explains that while Udupi is home to an estimated 1,600 temples, only 20% are classified as A-grade, and many others lack the resources to celebrate even essential festivals. Under the banner of Udupi Darshan, Karthika Deepa aims to donate sets of 1,008 mud diyas, 2,000 cotton wicks, and five liters of til/sesame oil to at least 50 temples this year.

"Our goal is not just to light lamps, but to spark hope in communities," says Acharya. By combining faith, craftsmanship, and community support, Karthika Deepa is more than a festival—it is a movement towards preserving Udupi's cultural heritage and empowering local artisans. The initiative has already reached 230 temples over the past four years, helping revive Deepotsava in places where celebrations had stopped due to financial constraints.