Banke Bihari Temple: History, Significance, and How to Reach Vrindavan

Banke Bihari Temple: Vrindavan, the land reverberating with the immortal love story of Lord Krishna and Devi Radha, pulsates spiritual energy among the devotees coming from all parts of the world. At the heart of Vrindavan lies the Banke Bihari temple.

It is not just another temple dedicated to worshipping Lord Krishna. It is a live example of devotion, rich history, and captivating legends associated with the deity. The Banke Bihari temple located in Vrindavan is unlike any other temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.

Read this complete blog post to find out the most interesting facts about this Vaishnav temple dedicated to the baby boy form of Lord Krisha.

Lord Banke Bihari: The Enigmatic Deity

Lord Banke Bihari also revered as Bihari Ji is one of the most captivating deities in Hinduism. Banke Bihari Ji stands in an enchanting ’Tribhanga’ posture. As per the legends in Hinduism, the idol of Banke Bihari temple is older than the temple itself.

The idol of Bihari Ji was unearthed mysteriously by a great devotee of Lord Shri Krishna, Swami Haridas, a saint who was known for his unparalleled devotion to Lord Shri Krishna. The origins of the idol of Bihari Ji remain shrouded in mystery.

It is believed that earlier Bihari Ji was worshipped in Nidhivan. Nidhivan is a spiritual grove located near the present-day temple of Banke Bihari Ji. Devotees believe that Lord Banke Bihari Ji and Devi Bihari perform the eternal celestial dance in this complex every night.

This spiritual celestial dance is also known as Maha Raas. Presently, Lord Banke Bihari is worshipped in a large temple complex located in the heart of Vrindavan. The exact year of shifting the idol of Bihari Ji from Nidhivan is not known.

It is believed that the process of shifting the idol was completed in the mid-1800s. The exact reasons for shifting the idol remain a mystery to this day. The architecture of this temple is modest. The main attraction of the temple for the devotees is the powerful spiritual aura that envelopes the devotees visiting this temple.

Banke Bihari Temple: Adobe of Lord Banke Bihari

A dedicated temple for Lord Banke Bihari was constructed in 1864. Construction of the temple was completed after the relocation of the idol from Nidhivan. A visit to the Banke Bihari temple is a joyous spiritual experience for the devotees.

The main intention of the devotees behind visiting the temple is to get a glimpse of the deity. The compound of the temple complex comes alive throughout the day with the melodious bhajans and the chanting of the devotees.

Large crowds throng the temple compound on weekends and festivals such as Holi. During this time, the temple complex becomes an arena of joyous celebrations, melodious bhajans, and vibrant colours.

The Banke Bihari temple offers a rich spiritual experience that goes beyond the temple walls. Devotees can explore the serenity of this temple town and delve into the rich history of devotion of Vrindavan. Devotees from all over the world visit Vrindavan to experience the magical vibe and get closer to Lord Shri Krishna.

It is important to note that Banke Bihari is not only a location on the map, it is a rich relaxing tapestry for the soul. Devotees, pilgrims, and even casual travellers visit this spiritual epicentre of Vrindavan.

The Banke Bihari temple offers an unforgettable experience for visitors. People visiting the temple make sweet memories and leave with a lasting impression of faith, devotion, and positivity.

Key Points to Remember for Visitors

Devotees visit the Banke Bihari temple for a rich spiritual experience. By keeping some important points in mind, they can make sure that their experience in the temple visit is full of devotion and joy by following these simple instructions.

Beware of Touts

More and more touts have started occupying the temple area in recent times. Devotees visiting the temple should be mindful of the offers made by these touts offering darshan of the deity for payment of a fee.

Darshan at the Banke Bihari temple is free for the devotees. Importantly, devotees visiting the temple during peak hours should be mindful of their belongings.

Prohibition of Photography

Young devotees visiting the temple complex should note that photography in the temple complex is prohibited. Youtubers and Instagram marketers can not capture the serenity of the sanctum sanctorum of this place through their lenses.

Banke Bihari temple is a place to embrace silence. The good news for the lens freaks is that photography is restricted but allowed in the sanctum and compound of the temple. They can easily capture the spiritual and vibrant vibe of this place on their cameras.

Holi 2024 Celebration in Vrindavan

Holi is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. People belonging to other religions also celebrate this festival with joy and devotion. Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated annually with great fervour in Vrindavan.

Vrindavan transcends into a vibrant holy town during the celebration of Holi 2024. Devotees visiting the temple town come here to celebrate Holi with their respected deity. Holi celebrations in Vrindavan go beyond the usual splash of coloured powder (Gulaal) and sprinkling water jets (Pichkaari).

Devotees celebrate Holi in Vrindavan to remember the playful acts that Lord Shri Krishna performed with his devotees. Devotees also celebrate the divine connection between Lord Shri Krishna and Devi Radha. Holi celebrations in Vrindavan and the larger area of Brij (Brij Kshetra) begin almost one month prior to the actual day of Holi.

Music and dance form an inseparable part of these celebrations. These festivities are known as Faag Utsavs. Devotees play Holi with fresh flowers to appease their respected and beloved deity (Lord Shri Krishna).

Key Versions of Brij Ki Holi

Lathmaar Holi
Lathmaar Holi is famous in Barsana, a village neighbouring Vrindavan. Women playfully chase men away with sticks. They enact this to remember the playful anger displayed by Devi Radha for Lord Shri Krishna.

Phoolon Ki Holi
Phoolon ki Holi is famous at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Devotees visit the Banke Bihari temple and shower the deity with fragrant flowers. The whole temple complex becomes engulfed in divine spiritual scent.

Rangbharni Holi
Rangbharni Holi is the closest version of Holi played in other parts of the country. In Rangbharni holi, people drench each other in vibrant colours. A mesmerizing experience is created for them.

Celebrating Holi in Vrindavan is a unique blend of playful traditions, vibrant colours, and unwavering devotion of the devotees for Lord Shri Krishna. It gives the devotees an unforgettable experience that they cherish after returning back to their routine work.

How to reach Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan

The holy town of Vrindavan is located in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Vrindavan is well connected with other towns and cities through road and rail connectivity. It is also connected through air connectivity with major cities of India. Devotees can easily reach Vrindavan based on their budget and preferences. Convenient modes of connectivity are listed.

By Road
Vrindavan is well-connected with all the major cities in India. Devotees can easily take a bus ride or hire a taxi to reach Vrindavan.

Both private and public buses ply between Vrindavan and nearby towns and cities such as Mathura on a regular basis.

By Rail
There is no railway station located in Vrindavan. The nearest railway station is located in Mathura (12 km). Goverdhan railway station is located 23 kilometres from Vrindavan.

Devotees can easily take e-rickshaws, auto rickshaws, or a taxi from these stations to reach Vrindavan. Do not forget to negotiate wherever possible.

By Air
The nearest airport is located in Agra. It is located approximately 68 kilometres from Vrindavan. Devotees can take a cab or a taxi to reach Vrindavan from Agra airport.

Dress Code for Banke Bihari Temple

Banke Bihari temple is one of the most important temples in Hinduism. It is important for the devotees to adhere to a modest and respectful dress code to maintain the sanctity of this temple. Devotees can keep the following points in mind.

Devotees can avoid wearing excessively fancy clothing. It is appropriate to not wear revealing clothes for visiting the temple.

Devotees visiting the temple should consider wearing clothes as per the existing weather conditions. Weather conditions in Vrindavan are usually hot and humid except for the winter months of November, December, and January.

For summer months, devotees should consider wearing airy and comfortable fabrics such as linen and cotton. In the winter months, it would be better to carry woollen clothing. Some devotees cover their heads as a sign of respect for the deity. Devotees planning to cover their heads should carry a scarf or a dupatta for this purpose.

Male devotees can wear traditional Indian outfits such as kurta pyjama or dhoti kurta. Female devotees can wear traditional clothing such as sarees or salwar suits. It is important to select traditional but comfortable clothing for the visit.

Last but not least, it is a common practice in Hinduism to remove footwear near the temple complex before entering. Devotees should prepare themselves to take off their shoes before entering the temple.

Beware of Monkeys

Devotees wearing spectacles should be cautious of the monkeys present at the main entrance gate of the temple complex. Monkeys present atop the main entrance gate sometimes create menace when devotees await the opening of the temple gates for darshan.

They particularly target the spectacles of the devotees. Monkeys here are adept at taking away spectacles in swift movements. It can then become a challenge for the devotees to get back their spectacles. It is better to place the spectacles in a purse or a bag before visiting Banke Bihari temple.

Devotees can also keep their spectacles inside the room of their hotel or ashram as per their requirement.

Final Thoughts

Shri Banke Bihari temple is beyond any normal tourist destination. This temple town is well-rooted in history and takes the devotees closer to the captivating spiritual realm of Lord Shri Krishna. Both spiritual pilgrims and travellers visiting this spiritual Vaishnav tapestry located in the heart of Vrindavan get an unforgettable experience.

Catching the glimpse of Lord Banke Bihari at the temple, soulful melodies (bhajans), and captivating spiritual vibrations at the temple help the devotees in taking themselves closer to the spiritual realm. All the devotees visiting Bihari Ji for darshan leave with a sense of joy and inner peace. All the devotees visiting the temple town of Vrindavan are mesmerized by the magical experience this holy town has to offer.

Devotees from all over the country and from many countries of the world come to experience the magic in Vrindavan. People from countries such as the U.S.A. and the U.K. can be seen chanting the holy name and mantras of Lord Krishna in the streets of Vrindavan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Where is Banke Bihari temple located?

A.Shri Banke Bihari temple is located in the heart of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most important temples dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna located in India.

Q.How to reach Banke Bihari temple?

A.Shri Banke Bihari temple is located in Vrindavan. Devotees can easily reach Vrindavan through road, rail, and air connectivity. The nearest railway station is located in Mathura.

Q.What is the dress code inside Shri Banke Bihari Temple?

A.Devotees visiting the Banke Bihari temple should consider wearing modest and respectful attire. Male devotees can wear kurta pyjama. Female devotees can wear a saree.

Q.What are the benefits of visiting Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan?

A.Devotees visit the Banke Bihari temple to catch a glimpse of their respected deity. Devotees visiting the temple experience peace and powerful spiritual energy.