Appearance Day of Lord Balarama
Jhulana Yatra ends
Appearance Day
All day
What is the Appearance Day of Lord Balarama?
Lord Balarama appeared as the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna on the full moon of the month of Sravana, and devotees celebrate that day as Balarama Purnima, also called Balarama Jayanti. In 2027 it falls on Tuesday, 17 August, the day the Jhulana Yatra swing festival comes to a close.
Significance
Lord Balarama, the first bodily expansion of Lord Krishna, assists Him in His pastimes. When Krishna appeared in Navadvipa as Lord Caitanya, Balarama came with Him as Lord Nityananda, who gives Krishna's mercy even to the most fallen. In Gokula, the Vrishnis' family guru Garga Muni gave the infant His name:
This child, the son of Rohiṇī, will give all happiness to His relatives and friends by His transcendental qualities. Therefore He will be known as Rāma.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.12
How to observe it
Devotees fast until midday, perform an abhisheka for the Deity of Lord Balarama, and gather for a feast in the afternoon. The day is well spent hearing His pastimes from the Tenth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. In some temples the evening ends with a pot-breaking festival.
Read more: Balarama Jayanti
Questions
When is Balarama Jayanti in 2027?
Balarama Jayanti falls on Tuesday, 17 August 2027, the full moon of Sravana, when devotees celebrate the appearance of Lord Balarama.
Is Balarama Jayanti the same as Balarama Purnima?
Yes, they are the same day. In ISKCON the appearance day of Lord Balarama is called Balarama Purnima because it falls on the full moon of Sravana. Jhulana Yatra ends on the same day.
Why is Lord Balarama also called Nityananda?
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta explains that when Lord Krishna appeared in Navadvipa as Lord Caitanya, Balarama came with Him as Lord Nityananda. As Nityananda, He gives Krishna's mercy even to the most fallen.
Why is Lord Balarama called Rama, Bala and Sankarsana?
In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Garga Muni explains that He is called Rama because He gives happiness to His relatives and friends, Bala because of His extraordinary strength, and Sankarsana because He unites the families of Vasudeva and Nanda.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Tuesday, 17 August 2027
- Also on this day
- Jhulana Yatra ends
- Fasting
- Until noon
- Also known as
- Balarama Purnima
- Appears in Caitanya-lila as
- Lord Nityananda
- Names given by Garga Muni
- Rama, Bala and Sankarsana
Seva for this day
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