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Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Lord Balarama is worshipped as 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The birth anniversary of Lord Balarama is observed as Balarama Jayanti. Balarama Jayanti is also known as Baldev Chhath. In Gujarat Balrama Jayanti is known as Balbhadra Jayanti. Lord Balarama was born during Shukla Shashthi of Bhadrapada month. As per Shri Garga Samhita, "On Bhadrapad Shukla Shashthi, in Swati Nakshatra, on Wednesday, Ananta Deva was born from the womb of Rohini, wife of Vasudev. The child was born at noon in Tula Lagna surrounded by five Graha situated in high places. At the time of birth when the Gods were showering flowers and the clouds were scattering raindrops, Ananta Deva appeared and illuminated Nanda Bhavana with His dazzling radiance."
Another event which is considered to be related to Lord Balaram is Hala Chhath, which is more popular in Bihar and Nepal regions, and observed 15 days before Balarama Jayanti and two days before Krishna Janmashtami.
Balarama was the elder brother of Lord Krishna. Brajwasi, the inhabitants of Braj region, also worship Lord Balarama as the king of Braj. They raise the slogan in praise of Lord Balarama, also called Dauji, and say, "Dau Dayal Braj Ke Raja, Bhang Piye To Itaku Aaja." This verse written in Braja Bhasha can be translated in English as, "Balarama, merciful king of Braj; if you must drink the Bhang, then come hither, at least." Lord Balarama is also worshipped as the incarnation of Adishesha. The divine serpent on which Lord Vishnu reposes is known as Adi Shesha. Lord Balarama is also regarded as Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha. Balarama was accomplished in traditional martial arts like combat-wrestling and mace fighting.
In Shri Dauji Maharaj Mandir, located in Baldeo town, in Mathura district, the Janmotsava of Shri Balarama is celebrated on Bhadrapada Shukla Shashthi every year with traditional rituals and huge public participation. The temples and local community in Braj observe Baldev Chhath, which is also known as Balarama Janmotsava, on this day. Baldev Chhatha is also known as Mor Chhath. Shri Dauji Maharaja temple organizes special prayers and worship rituals to celebrate the auspicious day of Balarama Jayanti. A special Abhishekam of Balarama is performed. Then, He is adorned with the beautiful costumes especially crafted for the occasion of Balarama Jayanti, along with precious gems, diamonds and gold ornaments.
On the occasion of Balarama Jayanti, a Shahnai-recital is organised in the temple. To commemorate the auspicious occasion of Balarama Jayanti, Dadhikando festival is also celebrated inside the temple premises. In this festival, a mixture of curd, butter, turmeric and saffron is sprinkled over the devotees and various items like fruits, toys, clothes and money are tossed toward them as an expression of joy.
On this occasion, a large fair is organized which is also popular among locals as Devachhath Mela. This fair has been organised every year inside the temple premises for the past 162 years. The fair begins with a flag hoisting ceremony. Thereafter, various cultural, folk and sports events such as Ragini singing and Kusti-Dangal, i.e., traditional wrestling competitions are held during the span of the fair, which could be for several days. On the last day, the fair concludes with the event of Kali Akhada or Kali Leela, and a splendid procession which displays beautiful tableaus depicting the life stories of various deities.
In addition, according to the ISKCON Calendar, Lord Balarama Appearance Day is celebrated on the full moon of the Gaura Paksha in the Shridhara (Shravana) month. The ISKCON temple also celebrates Shri Balarama Appearance Day or Balarama Jayanti with devotion and festive fervor. The ISKCON temple in Vrindavan, Shri Krishna Balarama Mandir, organizes Abhishekam of Lord Balarama and offers Him Chhapana Bhoga, the offering of 56 food items. In cow shelters run by the ISKCON, a special event is conducted to worship livestock, especially the bulls.
To read the detailed account of Lord Vishnu's Balarama Avatara, please follow this article - Balarama Avatara.
Balarama Jayanti Vrat katha is described on this page. On the occasion of Balarama Jayanti, reading and listening to this story of Lord Balarama's birth is considered highly auspicious. This story is mentioned in the Goloka Khanda of the Shri Garga Samhita. It was first narrated by Sage Narada to King Bahulashra.
Lord Balarama is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Balaram Ji was incarnated in the Dvapara Yuga as the elder brother of Lord Krishna. Balarama Ji is also known by the names Haladhara, Balabhadra, Sankarshana and Dau Bhaiya etc.
Hala Shashthi Vrat is observed two days before Shri Krishna Janmashtami. On this day, women observe a one-day fast for the longevity and well-being of their children. This fast is also known as Lalahi Chhath, Kamar Chhath and Chandan Chhath.
Mantra and Names of Lord Balaram are given. These names are also known as Sahasranamavali of Lord Balarama.
Lord Vishnu is the protector of the entire universe and one of the Trimurti. It is believed that, this visible world is the dream of Lord Vishnu sleeping in Kshirsagar. On this page you can get many information related to Lord Vishnu.
The list of the ten major incarnations of Lord Vishnu and the dates of their birth anniversaries are given on this page. From this page you can also get interesting information about all the incarnations.
Lord Vishnu keeps taking various incarnations forms from for the welfare of the universe. Here is the ten main incarnations of Lord Vishnu have been described in the religious scriptures as Dashavatara. According to religious scriptures, Kalki incarnation, one of the Dashavatars, is going to appear at the end of the present Kaliyuga.
A complete list of Ekadashi dates is given here. Go through the Ekadashi fasting dates list here so that you never miss fasting on Ekadashi. Ekadashi fast is observed with great enthusiasm by the devotees of Lord Vishnu.
ISKCON devotees can get the complete list of ISKCON Ekadashi fasting dates here. This list will prove highly informative and useful to those who observe the fast of Ekadashi as per the ISKCON.
The list of Mantras used in the worship and chanting of Lord Vishnu is available on this page. Some of these Mantras are legendary and some are Vedic. Along with this, the powerful Yantra of Lord Vishnu can also be seen from this page.
