Shri Banke Bihari Temple, located in the holy town of Vrindavan, uttar pradesh is one of India’s most visited Krishna temples. Dedicated to Lord Krishna in his “Banke Bihari” form, the temple draws thousands of devotees daily who come for blessings and to see the Lord. The name “Banke” means “bent at three places” and “Bihari” means “enjoyer,” referring to Krishna’s Tribhanga posture (bent at three angles) that captures devotees’ hearts. Lord Shri Krishna is famous as Bihari because he enjoys playing and spending time in the forests of Vrindavan. Known for its special darshan, rich history, and colorful festivals, this temple offers an enriching spiritual experience in the land of Braj.
Exact Location – Bankebihari Colony, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh 281121 (Google map)
Official Website – https://www.bihariji.org/
Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan is open daily for darshan from 7:45 AM to 9:30 PM. However, the timings are different in summer and winter, as shown below
Summer Timings (After Holi):
Winter Timings (After Diwali):
Also note, there are no entry fees for visitors visiting Banke Bihari Temple. However, during major festivals like Janmashtami and Holi, there may be higher crowds.
Service/Aarti | Summer (After Holi) | Winter (After Diwali) |
Morning Darshan | 7:45 AM to 12:00 PM | 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM |
Shringar Aarti | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
Rajbhog | 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM |
Temple Closing (Morning) | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
Evening Darshan | 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM | 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM |
Shayan Bhog | 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM | 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM |
Shayan Aarti and Closing | 9:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
Unlike many Krishna temples in India, Banke Bihari Temple does not have a Mangala Aarti tradition. Following the belief that the deity is like a child who shouldn’t be disturbed early in the morning, the first worship begins with Shringar Aarti instead.
All devotees can visit during standard opening hours. Be ready for crowds, especially during weekends and festivals.
Currently, there are no options for VIP Darshan available at Shri Banke Bihari Temple.
Special darshan arrangements are made during major festivals:
The story of Banke Bihari Temple is deeply tied to the 16th-century saint-musician Swami Haridas, thought to be an incarnation of Lalita Sakhi (one of Radha’s closest friends). According to tradition, Swami Haridas’s deep devotion and beautiful singing in Nidhivan forest moved Lord Krishna and Radharani to appear before him in their divine forms.
The brightness and beauty of the divine couple was so strong that human eyes could not bear it. Sensing this, Swami Haridas asked them to take a form that devotees could see. In response, Radha and Krishna combined into a single beautiful black idol – the “Banke Bihari” form worshipped today.
Swami Haridas gave the seva (service) of Lord Banke Bihari to Goswami Jagannath. This sacred duty has continued through generations, with family members of Goswami Jagannath still performing the temple services today, keeping up centuries-old traditions and worship methods.
Originally, the deity was worshipped in Nidhivan as “Kunj-Bihari” (enjoyer of the groves of Vrindavan). The present temple building was built in 1862, when the deity was moved to its current location.
Banke Bihari Temple holds deep spiritual importance for several reasons:
Though not as fancy as some other famous Indian temples, Banke Bihari Temple has a simplicity that focuses attention on the deity rather than the building. Built in 1862, the temple shows influences of Rajasthani building style.
Key building features include:
The temple’s simpler design serves its spiritual purpose perfectly, creating a close atmosphere for devotees to connect with the divine presence of Shri Banke Bihari.
Shri Banke Bihari Temple is located in the heart of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, and can be reached through various travel options:
The nearest airport is Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, about 161 km from Vrindavan. From Delhi, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Vrindavan, which takes about 3-4 hours depending on traffic.
Mathura Junction is the closest railway station, connected to major cities across India and about 12 km from Vrindavan. From Mathura, you can take an auto-rickshaw, taxi, or local bus to reach Vrindavan.
Vrindavan is well-connected by road. Regular buses run from Delhi, Agra, Mathura, and other nearby cities. Once in Vrindavan, you can hire an auto-rickshaw to reach near the temple area.
The lanes leading to the temple are narrow and often crowded. The final stretch typically requires walking, as vehicles cannot reach the immediate temple area. Be ready for a short walk through colorful market lanes filled with shops selling offerings and souvenirs.
No, registration is no longer required for darshan at Shri Banke Bihari Temple. Devotees can visit the temple without any prior online or offline booking.
The most vibrant Holi celebrations happen between Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi and Chaitra Krishna Pratipad. This is the peak period for experiencing Holi with Thakurji. Please note that crowds are extremely large, so elderly devotees and those with young children are advised to avoid visiting during these dates for safety and comfort.
Shri Banke Bihari Temple is one-of-a-kind because the temple does not allow the use of bells or loud instruments, especially during Aarti. This is because Lord Krishna is worshipped here in his child form, and it’s considered improper to wake a child suddenly. Hence, the temple maintains a gentle and peaceful atmosphere, even during major rituals.
The temple was founded by Swami Haridas Goswami, a great saint and spiritual teacher. He is believed to be an incarnation of Lalita, one of the closest companions of Goddess Radha. Swami Haridas was born in Rajpur village, and his deep devotion led to the appearance of the divine idol of Banke Bihari Ji.
The present temple structure was built in 1864, though the worship of Banke Bihari Ji dates back centuries earlier. The current architecture reflects traditional Rajasthani style and has since become a major spiritual and tourist attraction in Vrindavan.
While Krishna refers broadly to the divine personality of the Lord, Banke Bihari represents a specific form of Krishna, depicted in a charming, three-bend (Tribhanga) posture. “Krishna” focuses on the deity’s overall identity, while “Banke Bihari” focuses on his playful, childlike, and enchanting form in Vrindavan.
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