ॐ
Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
Krishna (Banke Bihari) · Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
The Banke Bihari Temple is the most beloved shrine of Vrindavan, home to Thakur Banke Bihari — Krishna in the three-bent pose, bent at neck, waist and knee, lost in the sweetness of love. The image was revealed to the saint-musician Swami Haridas, and so tender is its gaze that the temple curtain is drawn shut every few minutes, lest the lord and his devotees be overwhelmed.
The lord of Swami Haridas
Banke Bihari was given to the world by Swami Haridas, the great 16th-century musician-saint of Vrindavan, whose singing is said to have drawn the divine couple Radha and Krishna to merge into a single black image at his prayer. “Banke” means bent in three places, the tribhanga pose of the flute-playing lord; “Bihari” is the one who enjoys, the lord at play in the groves of Braj.
The curtain and the absence of bells
Worship here breaks the usual temple custom: there are no ringing bells or blowing conches, for the lord is not to be disturbed, and the sanctum curtain is closed and opened again and again so that no devotee gazes too long into his eyes — a glance, it is said, that can pull the soul away. Only on Janmashtami is the Mangala aarti performed, and only at one festival are the lord’s lotus feet revealed.
Holi of flowers
Vrindavan’s festivals reach their height here at Holi, when the famous Phoolon wali Holi is played with flowers showered upon the crowds, and at Janmashtami, when Krishna’s birth fills the lanes. The present temple was built in 1864, and its narrow streets throng with pilgrims through the year.
How to reach the temple
- By road: the temple is in the heart of old Vrindavan, reached on foot through the lanes; Vrindavan is about 15 km from Mathura.
- By train: Mathura Junction is the nearest major railhead.
- By air: Agra is about 70 km away; Delhi is the larger airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Banke Bihari?
Banke Bihari is Krishna in the tribhanga (three-bent) pose, revealed to the saint-musician Swami Haridas in Vrindavan; “Banke” means bent in three places and “Bihari” the one who enjoys.
Why is the curtain drawn again and again?
The lord’s gaze is held to be so powerful and tender that the sanctum curtain is closed every few minutes, so that no devotee looks too long into his eyes.
Why are there no bells at Banke Bihari?
Unlike most temples, no bells are rung and no conches blown here, so that the lord at play is not disturbed.
When is the Mangala aarti performed?
The Mangala (dawn) aarti is performed only once a year, on Janmashtami; on most days the temple opens later than usual.
What is Phoolon wali Holi?
It is the famous “Holi of flowers” at Banke Bihari, when the priests shower flowers upon the gathered devotees a few days before Holi.
How do I reach the temple?
It is in the heart of old Vrindavan, about 15 km from Mathura; Mathura Junction is the nearest railhead and Delhi the larger airport.
॥ राधे राधे ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Krishna as Banke Bihari (tribhanga pose) |
| Revealed by | Swami Haridas |
| Custom | No bells; curtain drawn every few minutes |
| Special | Mangala aarti only on Janmashtami |
| Built | 1864 |
| Main Festival | Phoolon wali Holi, Janmashtami |