Lord Chaitanya, also known as Gauranga – the golden coloured incarnation of Lord Krishna – appeared in West Bengal, India, around 500 years ago.  Gaura Purnima is the festival of his appearance, taking place in spring.  The Lord appeared in his previous incarnations as Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, and Lord Narsimhadeva. Lord Chaitanya transformed the hearts of everyone he met through singing of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and re-establishing the Bhakti-yoga tradition that ISKCON continues through its lineage today. Devotees fast till moonrise on this day, followed by a feast in his honour.

Gaura Purnima falls on the full moon day (Purnima) in the lunar month of Phalguna, which usually corresponds to February or March in the Gregorian calendar. It commemorates the divine appearance of Lord Chaitanya in the town of Navadvipa, West Bengal, in 1486.