Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
Also known as: பாங்கே பிஹாரி கோயில் (விருந்தாவனம்) · బాంకే బిహారీ ఆలయం, బృందావనం · बांके बिहारी मंदिर, वृंदावन
Uttar Pradesh Vishnu
Vrindavan's best-known Krishna temple, famous for the curtain that is drawn across the deity every few minutes.
- Deity
- Banke Bihari (Radha and Krishna combined)
- Tradition
- Vishnu
- Place
- Vrindavan, Mathura
- State
- Uttar Pradesh
- Era
- Completed around 1862–1864 by the goswamis.
Sthala Puranam
Swami Haridas first worshipped the image as Kunj Bihari. His disciples later named it Banke Bihari because of its bent (tribhanga) pose.
The image was first kept at Nidhivan and moved in the 19th century, after a dispute between the sadhu and goswami followers of Haridas. The goswamis built the present temple.
Speciality
- Believed to be the combined form of Radha and Krishna, shown in the three-bend posture.
- Curtain darshan: the curtain is drawn every five minutes, as it is believed that uninterrupted darshan would make Banke Bihari follow the devotee home.
- Rajasthani style architecture.
Festivals
- Janmashtami
- Radhashtami
- Holi
- Sharad Purnima
- Karthik Purnima
- Bihar Panchami (appearance day of the image)
How to reach
By airAgra Airport, about 70 km, or Delhi (IGI), about 150 km.
By trainMathura Junction, about 12 km, or Vrindavan Road station.
By roadIn Vrindavan, reached by narrow lanes. Park outside and walk. Autos and e-rickshaws from Mathura.
Location is approximate.
Before you go
- Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
- Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
- Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
- The lanes are narrow and the crowd is very heavy on weekends and festival days. Keep valuables safe.
Prayers for this temple
Sources
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