Gamha Purnami or Gamha Purnima is observed on Shravan Purnima, the Full Moon day in Shravan month. Gamha Purnima celebrates the birthday or Jayanti of Lord Balarama or Bhalabadra. Gamha Purnima is celebrated mainly in Orissa. In 2009, the date of Gamha Purnami is August 5.
On the day of Gamha Purnami, cattle are worshipped. Other places of country celebrate the Full Moon day during Sawan month as Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi Festival. In India especially in Orissa, cattle are very important aspect of agriculture and village life. The main ritual of Gamha Purnima festival is Gamha Dian or Gamha Diyan. As Lord Bhalabadra, also popular as Balarama, is the God of Cattle, cows and bullocks are worshipped on Balabhadra Jayanti. Balarama Jayanti is also celebrated on Akshaya Tritiya day.
In Nepal, the similar festival is celebrated as ‘Gai Jatra’ on the next day to Janai Purnima or Shravan Purnima. In South India particularly Telugu people in Hyderabad or Andhra Pradesh, a festival called ‘Sadar Festival’ is celebrated in the month of Kartik.
Balarama Jayanti or Balaram Jayanthi is observed on Shravan Pournami, Full Moon day during Shravan month. In 2009, the date of Balaram Jayanti is August 5. Balarama Jayanthi is the birthday or the appearance day of Lord Balaram, one of the Dasavataras or the ten supreme incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
In some regions of India, Balarama Jayanthi is celebrated during Vaishakh maas (April – May), on Akshaya Tritiya. Balarama Jayanti is celebrated with utmost festivity in Vrindavan, Mathura, Puri and in all Krishna mandirs or ISKCON Temples around the World.
Legend and importance or greatness of Lord Balaram – Balarama Avatar:
According to some Puranas, Lord Balaram was the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Balaram was the older brother of Lord Sri Krishna. Balaram was very powerful that he demolished the large demon, Asuradhenuka. Asuradhenuka was the great demon who had the manifestation of a donkey. When another great demon attacked and lifted him on his shoulders, very young Balaram thrashed the demon’s brain with his fist and killed him.
Some Hindu scriptures also explain that Balaram was not an incarnation of Lord Vishnu but of the great serpent god Aadi Sesha. Aadisesha is the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines.
Balarama Jayanthi, birthday of Lord Balaram or Appearance day of Lord Balaram is celebrated on Vaishakha Shudda Tadiya. The Appearance day of Lord Balaram is also celebrated as Akshay Tritiya and Parashurama Jayanti.
When is Balarama Jayanti or Appearance Day of Balaram celebrated in 2009?
In 2009, Balarama Jayanti is celebrated on April 27, Monday. This day is also observed as Akshay Tritiya.
Legend and Story of Lord Balaram – Balarama Avatar:
According to some Puranas, Lord Balaram was the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Balaram was the older brother of Lord Sri Krishna. Balaram was very powerful that he demolished the large demon, Asuradhenuka. Asuradhenuka was the great demon who had the manifestation of a donkey. When another great demon attacked and lifted him on his shoulders, very young Balaram thrashed the demon’s brain with his fist and killed him.
Some Hindu scriptures also explain that Balaram was not an incarnation of Lord Vishnu but of the great serpent god Aadi Sesha. Aadisesha is the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines.
Lord Balarama – the Haldhari:
As Balaram’s chief weapon is ploughshare (hal), he is also called as ‘Haldhari’. He is also considered as the Lord of agriculture.
Balaram’s Role in Kamsa Vadha – Killing of the Demon Kamsa:
Right from the moment when Sri Krishna went to Mathura, Lord Balaram was with him till he demolished the demon Kamsa. Mahabharata describes that Balaram taught Duryodhana and Bheema, how to use the Gadha (mace).
