Balarama Jayanti 2021

Lord Balarama is worshipped as 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The birth anniversary of Lord Balarama is observed as Balarama Jayanti. Balarama was the elder brother of Lord Krishna. He is also considered to be the Shankarshana form and the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Once it so happened, that Indra and the other gods were fed up with the atrocities of the Demon King of Mathura, Kamsa. They went to Lord Vishnu asking for a solution. Vishnu took one black and one white hair from his head and promised to the gods that these two would be responsible for the end of Kamsa and his reign.

Lord Balarama is also worshipped as an avatar of Adishesha, the serpent on which Lord Vishnu rests. According to legend, Shesha is said to be the king of all snakes, and holds the entire universe on its hood. Lord Vishnu is often depicted to be resting on Shesha. Being so close, it is obvious for the two to be born as brothers, Lord Krishna and Balram. Balrama is the third avatar of Shesha, the others being Sheshnag, Lakshman, and Ramanuj. Balarama is also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha.

This day is also known as Hal Sashti and Lalahi Chhath in North India. In Braj region this day is popularly known as Baladeva Chhath and in Gujarat this day is observed as Randhan Chhath.