Laksha Deepotsava is an annual celebration held at the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Temple, located in Dharmasthala, Karnataka. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and is one of the most significant events in the temple. Laksha Deepotsava, which means “The Festival of a Hundred Thousand Lamps,” is observed on the full moon day of Kartika month (November–December).

The puja is dedicated to Lord Manjunatha, a form of Lord Shiva, and marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is believed that Lord Manjunatha is the protector of the region and the temple is a place of refuge for devotees seeking relief from worldly struggles.

The highlight of Laksha Deepotsava is the lighting of lakhs of oil lamps (deepas) around the temple premises. Devotees light these lamps as a form of prayer, seeking divine blessings for prosperity, health, and spiritual progress. The entire temple complex and surrounding areas are illuminated by a thousand lights, creating a divine atmosphere of tranquility and devotion.

The Laksha Deepotsava Puja is accompanied by special prayers, including abhishekam to the deity, chanting of mantras, and bhajans. A large number of devotees also perform offerings, including flowers, fruits, and special naivedya (food offerings). The rituals are typically carried out by the priests, but the entire community participates in the event, making it a grand, communal celebration.

The Laksha Deepotsava is believed to bring spiritual elevation, cleanse the mind, and ward off negativity, filling the lives of devotees with divine light and blessings.