Vishnujana Swami: Damodar Prayers

Here is Aindra's version:

The month of Damodara. Throughout this month, devotees commemorate the pastime of naughty Lord Krsna’s being bound with ropes by mother Yasoda. Devotees offer lamps daily.

Kartik is the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. It usually overlaps with the months October & November in the English calendar. Kartik Maas, also known as Damodar Maas, is described in the scriptures as the best among months for performing austerities.

Lord Shri Krishna says, “Of all plants, the sacred Tulasi is most dear to Me; of all months, Kartik is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days,Ekadashi is most dear.” (Padma Purana, Uttara Khand 112.3)

Kartik or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, glorifies Lord Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda. Observing vrata in the month of Kartik is glorified in the Puranas.

“As Sat-yuga is the best of yugas (ages), as the Vedas are the best among scriptures, as Ganga is best of rivers, so Kartik is the best of months, the most dear to Lord Krishna.” (Skanda Purana)

This vrata begins on 4th Oct 2009(this year), and one may observe the following foremost activities throughout the entire month of Kartik:
Japa – chanting the holy names of the Lord.
Worship the Lord by offering ghee lamps (diyas), flowers, incense, food, etc.
Practice brahmacharya – celibacy.
Worship of Tulasi Devi.
Give charity.
Perform austerities.