# Balarāma Jayantī > Appearance of Lord Balarāma **Observed:** Pūrṇimā (full moon) of Śrāvaṇa (July-August), one week before Janmāṣṭamī --- ## Significance Balarāma Jayantī celebrates the appearance of Lord Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa's elder brother and first expansion. Lord Balarāma appeared as the son of Vasudeva and Rohiṇī in Gokula, seven days before Lord Kṛṣṇa's appearance. Balarāma is the original spiritual master and the source of all spiritual strength. He is non-different from Lord Nityānanda Prabhu and Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. --- ## The First Expansion > Balarāma is the first personal expansion of Lord Kṛṣṇa. All the incarnations of Viṣṇu expand from Him. He is the source of spiritual strength. > > — [[cc/adi/5/4|Cc. Ādi 5.4]] As the holder of the plow and club, Lord Balarāma represents spiritual strength (*bala* means "strength"). He assists Kṛṣṇa in all His pastimes and is essential for approaching the Lord. --- ## Pastimes in Vṛndāvana Lord Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa spent Their childhood in Vṛndāvana, tending cows, playing with Their cowherd friends, and performing wonderful pastimes. Balarāma killed many demons, including Dhenukāsura and Pralambāsura. His famous pastime of calling the Yamunā River (to come closer for His bath) with His plow demonstrates His unlimited potency. --- ## Observance - **Fasting:** Until noon - **Worship:** Special abhiṣeka of Lord Balarāma - **Readings:** Pastimes from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Tenth Canto - **Feast:** Prasādam after midday --- ## Related - [[cc/adi/5|Cc. Ādi Chapter 5]] — Glories of Lord Nityānanda Balarāma - [[wiki/events/nityananda-trayodasi|Nityānanda Trayodaśī]] - [[wiki/events/janmastami|Śrī Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī]] - [[wiki/events/jhulana-yatra|Jhulana-yātrā]] --- *See [[wiki/events/events|Vaiṣṇava Calendar]] for this year's date.*