Sri Balarama Jayanthi

Balarama (Sanskrit: बलराम, IAST: Balarāma) is a Hindu god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is particularly significant in the Jagannath tradition, as one of the triad deities. He is also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra, Haladhara and Halayudha. The first two epithets refer to his strength, the last two associate him with Hala (Langala, 'plough') from his strong associations with farming and farmers, as the deity who used farm equipment as weapons when needed. In ancient Hinduism and Hindu texts, Balarama is an avatar of Vishnu , and he is replaced by the founder of Buddhism, Buddha, in the list of Dashavatar of Vishnu. Balarama's significance in the Indian culture has ancient roots. His image in artwork is dated to around the start of the common era, and in coins dated to the 2nd-century BCE. In Jainism, he is known as Baladeva and has been a historically significant farmer-related deity