August 13 is Balaram Jayanti: Birth Anniversary of an Incarnation of the Shesh Naag and Avatar of Adishesha

Aug 13, 2017: According to the Hindu Calender, a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Balaram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna is observed on the 6th day of Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of the moon) in the month of Bhadrapad, six days after Shravan Purnima or Raksha Bandhan. This year Balaram Jayanti is celebrated on August 13.

The embodiment of 'Shesh Naag' is glorified as Lord Balram and his birth anniversary is celebrated this day.

Balarama is also perceived as the avatar of Adishesha, who is the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rests. In other places, he is also quoted as Baladeva, Balabhadra, and halayudha.

His birth anniversary is celebrated in different parts of the country by different names. In north India, it is known as Hal Shasti and Lalahi Chhath. In brah region in India, it is famously known as Baladeva Chhath and in Gujarat, it is discerned as Randhan Chhath.