Hal Shashti (Balarama Jayanti) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Mothers: Primarily, mothers observe this fast for the health, long life, and prosperity of their sons and children.
• Women Desiring Children: Newly married or childless women also observe this vrat to seek the blessings of Shashthi Devi and Lord Balarama for offspring (Santan Prapti).
• Farming Families: Families who live by the land honour the plough (Hal), the weapon and tool of Lord Balarama, and pray for a good harvest.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: Bathe and take the vow early in the morning, during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hour before sunrise) or at sunrise, before the fast begins.
• Puja Muhurat: The puja is done in the Madhyahna (midday) or afternoon hours, once the altar is ready. Families differ on the exact hour, so check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Breaking the Fast: Eaten in the evening, after the puja and katha are complete.

About the Festival

Hal Shashti, also known as Balarama Jayanti, is a deeply revered observance of Central and North India, where mothers fast and worship Shashthi Devi and Lord Balarama for the long life of their children. It takes place on the Shashthi (sixth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada.

The Vrat Katha (Story of the Milkmaid and the Ber Tree)

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a milkmaid who was about to give birth. She had pots of milk to sell and, afraid of losing her earnings, she mixed buffalo milk with cow's milk and set out to sell it as pure cow's milk. On the way, labour pains began, and she gave birth to a son under a ber tree. Leaving the newborn in the shade, she hurried to the village to sell her milk.

Nearby, a farmer was ploughing his field. The bullocks drew the plough close to the tree, and the blade accidentally struck the baby. The farmer was shaken with grief, tried to bring the child back to life, and stitched the wound with thorns, but the child did not survive. When the milkmaid returned and saw her son, she understood that her deceit had brought this sorrow upon her.

She went back to the village, confessed in front of everyone that she had sold mixed milk as cow's milk, and begged forgiveness. The village women comforted her and advised: "Repent sincerely and keep the Shashthi vrat. Worship Shashthi Devi and the plough of Balarama with a pure heart, and do not eat what the plough has touched. The Mother is merciful to those who speak the truth."

The milkmaid returned to the tree, and to her wonder, her son was alive and well. Since that day, mothers have observed Hal Shashti, abstaining from grain grown by the plough, to pray for the protection and long life of their children.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the afternoon puja:

• Image / Altar Items: Picture of Lord Balarama and Shashthi Devi, or a small clay or cow-dung altar with a drawing of the plough (Hal)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and incense
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash or small vessel filled with fresh water
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Roasted grains and seeds (Bhuna Chana, Makka), Mahua, Pasai (wild) rice, and buffalo milk, curd, and Ghee (no cow's milk products)
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, Kalava (sacred red thread), Kusha grass, and a small branch of Palash or Ber

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Shashthi and Lord Balarama, today I observe this fast for the health, long life, and wellbeing of my children. Grant me the strength to fulfil this vow with pure devotion."
3. Observe the fast through the day. Do not eat any grain or vegetable that has been grown by ploughing; fruits and foods that grow without the plough, and buffalo milk products, are taken instead.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Afternoon)

1. Clean the place of worship, and mark the floor or wall with cow dung or a clean cloth.
2. Draw the image of the plough and Shashthi Devi on the wall, or place a picture of Lord Balarama on a wooden stool (Chowki).
3. In the courtyard, many families make a small pond (Sagri) in the earth, and plant a branch of Palash, Ber, and Kusha grass near it.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense before Lord Balarama and Shashthi Devi.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to the images and the Kalash.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a piece of Kalava around the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place the roasted grains, Pasai rice, and buffalo milk preparations before the deity.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Hal Shashti Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains and petals at the deity's feet.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers for the Children

1. Perform the Aarti of Shashthi Devi and Lord Balarama with the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Mothers traditionally bless each child by touching their back with a cloth dipped in Haldi (turmeric) paste, called Poti (customs differ from family to family).
3. Pray for the long life and happiness of your children.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among your family members and children.
3. In the evening, break your fast with the prasad and a simple sattvic meal made of foods that do not come from the plough.