Balarama Purnima – 9 August 2025 — Appearance Day of Lord Balarama
The auspicious appearance day of Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna, is celebrated on the Purnima (full moon day) of the month of Shravana (August).
Unfortunately, this year’s appearance day will not be celebrated at our temple in Mainhausen, as a large preaching tour is taking place in Croatia to glorify Sri Balarama, the Adi-Guru, and Balarama Purnima will be celebrated in this way.
We will be on the road, distributing transcendental books in Croatia, to enlighten lost souls with spiritual knowledge from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
Śrīla Prabhupāda: “These books are so potent that anyone who reads them is sure to become Krishna Conscious. So it is a very valuable service to distribute our books.”
Who is Balarama?
Balarām is Kṛṣṇa’s beloved elder brother and best friend. Together they roam the forests and hills of Vṛndāvana, herding the cows, playing games, and sharing jokes with their friends in their eternal spiritual abode, which lies far beyond this realm.
Before his appearance in this world, Kṛṣṇa declared that Balarām would be “the source of all spiritual power, or bala, by which one can attain the highest bliss of life, which is called ramaṇa.” Thus, we pray to Balarām for the spiritual strength to keep us going on our paths, and the spiritual happiness that gives us the determination to stick to it no matter the distractions of this world.
Balarām is always there to help us. He is always ready to give us courage and hope, ever willing to offer the protection of his strong arms and merciful glance.
According to the Vedic scriptures, Lord Balarama was born as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki, the same parents as Lord Krishna. However, due to the cruel rule of King Kansa, Balarama was transferred to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, for his protection. He is the first personal expansion of Sri Krishna and is considered the original spiritual master (Adi-Guru), a symbol of strength, spiritual knowledge, and compassion. While Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Balarama is his elder brother and eternal servant, who always fulfills the Lord’s desires. In all of Krishna’s games (Lilas), he supports him and takes on various forms, such as his brother, servant, bed, throne, weapon, etc. Lord Balarama represents the Sankarsana form of the Lord – the source of all spiritual and material creation.
How is Balarama Purnima celebrated?
The faithful fast until noon and pray to Lord Balarama to grant them the spiritual strength they need for a spiritual life. On this day, Balarama particularly enjoys foods prepared especially for him (with lots of yogurt and butter). In many temples, Abhiseka ceremonies (ritual bathing of the deity) and lectures on his divine qualities and pastimes take place on Balarama Purnima.
