- By Kashish Rai
- Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Balaram Jayanti 2025: Hal Sashti, also known as ‘Lalhi Shast’ or ‘Har Chatt’, is a cherished Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Balaram, the elder brother of Sri Krishna. Observed on the ‘sashti’ (6th day) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, it marks Lord Balaram’s birth anniversary. Celebrated with devotion and joy across India, it falls six days after Shravan Purnima or Raksha Bandhan. In Rajasthan, it is called ‘Chandra Sashti’, in Gujarat it is known as ‘Randhan Chhath’, and in the Braj region it is celebrated as ‘Baladeva Chhath’, each with unique traditions reflecting deep cultural and spiritual reverence. This year, Hal Sashti falls onm 14th August 2025.
Balaram Jayanti 2025: Hal Sashti Date And Time
- Balaram Jayanti 2025 / Hal Sashti 2025 Date: 14th August 2025, Thursday
- Sashti Tithi Begins: 04:24 AM, 14th August 2025
- Sashti Tithi Ends: 02:07 AM, 15th August 2025
Balaram Jayanti 2025: Hal Sashti Significance
The festival of Hal Sashti, also known as Balaram Jayanti, is devoted to Lord Balaram, revered by names like Halayudha, Baladeva and Balabhadra. In Hindu legends, he is described as the elder brother of Lord Krishna and one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Farmers especially honour his sacred tools, the pestle and shovel, on this day, seeking divine blessings for a rich harvest and agricultural prosperity.
Women observe the Hal Sashti fast for the blessings of a male child and the good health of their children. As per Hindu mythology, Uttara from the Mahabharata, on Lord Krishna’s advice, performed this vrat with devotion and miraculously healed her destroyed womb. Since then, Hal Sashti has been regarded as a powerful ritual for family growth, symbolising faith, divine grace and the continuation of lineage across generations.
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Lord Balaram, elder brother of Krishna, symbolises strength and agriculture. He is worshipped for protection, prosperity and blessings. (Image Source: ISKCON Vrindavana)
Balaram Jayanti 2025: Hal Sashti Rituals
The festival of Hal Sashti is celebrated with great devotion, especially by farming communities across India. The main rituals are performed by women, who start their day early at sunrise with a cleansing bath. They prepare for the Lalhi Chhath puja by first cleaning the worship area and sanctifying it with cow dung. A small well is made, and a structure resembling a plough—Lord Balaram’s weapon—is carefully crafted using straw, palaash leaves, and reeds, symbolising prosperity and a good harvest.
During the Hal Sashti puja, the well is worshipped using ‘Satavya,’ a mixture of seven grains such as jowar, paddy, wheat, moong, gram, corn, and lentils. A turmeric-dyed cloth is placed beside the plough and also honoured in the prayers. Devotees recite the Hal Sashti vrat katha after the rituals, strengthening their connection to the festival’s spiritual significance and seeking blessings for abundance and well-being in their families and fields.
Women observe a strict fast on Hal Sashti, refraining from eating or drinking throughout the day. This fast is marked by complete abstinence, including from fruits and milk. It is considered important to avoid cow’s milk during the festival, but buffalo milk may be consumed if necessary. This disciplined fasting reflects devotion and respect for Lord Balaram, helping to invoke his blessings for family welfare and agricultural prosperity.
The rituals and observances of Hal Sashti bring communities together in faith and gratitude, celebrating the bond between nature, divine blessings, and human effort. This festival honours Lord Balaram’s role as protector and provider, reminding devotees of the importance of discipline, devotion, and hope for future growth. It is a special time to focus on renewal, both in the fields and within the family, strengthening traditions passed down through generations.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)