Banke Bihari Temple

Banke Bihari Temple is the most visited of Vrindavan's temples. It is dedicated to Krishna as Banke Bihari, a name that describes his posture: banke means bent in three places, the tribhanga pose, and bihari means one who enjoys, in this case the one who delights in the forest groves of Vrindavan.

The image was discovered, according to tradition, by the 16th-century saint and musician Swami Haridas, the guru of Tansen. He worshipped it in the grove of Nidhivan, and the Goswami families descended from his brother have served the temple ever since. The present temple was built in the 1860s.

The original black icon of Banke Bihari was, by tradition, granted to the saint-poet Swami Haridas (born 1478 AD, also the guru of the court singer Tansen) by the divine couple Shyama-Shyam in Nidhivan. Swami Haridas worshipped it there under the name Kunj Bihari. After his death seva passed to his brother Goswami Jagannath and then to Jagannath's descendants, the "Goswamis" of the temple. Disciples renamed the deity Banke Bihari because of the image's tribhanga posture. In the 19th century, a dispute arose between sadhu and goswami factions over custody; the goswamis removed the icon from Nidhivan and installed it in the new temple built on the present site around 1862–1864 CE. The goswamis still reside behind the temple and manage its rituals.

The temple is built in a Rajasthani style from red sandstone, with arched openings and carved balconies facing a small courtyard in the lanes of Vrindavan. The sanctum is small, and the building was designed for intimate worship rather than for crowds.

There is a curtain in front of the deity that is drawn back and closed every few moments. The tradition says that the image's gaze is so powerful that it must not be held for long. No bells are rung inside, and the temple's shape and approach lanes are part of the experience.

Worship follows the Haridasi tradition, in which Krishna is treated as a child and a beloved, with the deity woken, dressed and fed through the day. Unlike at most temples, there is no morning Mangala aarti except on Janmashtami, since the child deity is not to be woken early.

Holi in Vrindavan is celebrated with flowers and colours at the temple. In summer the shrine is decorated with a Phool Bangla, a pavilion of flowers, and in the monsoon with swings (Hindola).

• Janmashtami
• Radhashtami
• Holi
• Sharad Purnima
• Kartik Purnima
• Jhulan Yatra / Hindola

The lanes leading to the temple are narrow and crowded, especially on weekends, Janmashtami and Holi. Leave phones, bags and large items in lockers or at your hotel, keep valuables close, and avoid taking elderly or very young visitors during peak times.

Vrindavan's other temples are within walking or short auto-rickshaw distance, including Prem Mandir, the ISKCON temple and Radha Raman. Mathura, Krishna's birthplace, is around 12 km away.

Nearest airport: Agra Airport (Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport), ~70 km; Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, ~165 km. Nearest railway: Mathura Junction (~10–12 km). Buses, taxis, and shared autos run frequently from Mathura to Vrindavan; the temple is in the heart of Vrindavan's narrow lanes.

• Lotus TempleDelhi · about 116 km in a straight line
• ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Govind TempleUttar Pradesh · about 117 km in a straight line
• ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi MandirDelhi · about 117 km in a straight line
• Sheetla Mata TempleHaryana · about 118 km in a straight line

• ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan TempleChandigarh
• Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)Himachal Pradesh
• Madhav Rai TempleHimachal Pradesh
• Shri Jagannath Temple, MandiHimachal Pradesh
• Shrinathji TempleRajasthan
• Murlidhar Krishna Mandir, Naggar (Thawa)Himachal Pradesh

See all 2 Krishna temples in Uttar Pradesh

Where is Banke Bihari Temple located?

Banke Bihari Temple is located at Shri Banke Bihari Mandir, Vrindavan Dham, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh 281121, in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Who is the presiding deity at Banke Bihari Temple?

The presiding deity at Banke Bihari Temple is Krishna (also known as Gopala, Govinda), worshipped in the Vaishnava tradition.

What are the timings of Banke Bihari Temple?

Banke Bihari Temple is generally open Winter: 07:45–12:00 and 17:30–21:30; summer timings shift earlier by ~30–45 minutes. No Mangala aarti except on Janmashtami. No bells inside.. Timings can vary on festival days and special occasions — verify with the temple before your visit.

When was Banke Bihari Temple built?

Banke Bihari Temple was established 1862–1864 CE. Portions of the structure have been added and renovated by successive dynasties over the centuries.

What is the architectural style of Banke Bihari Temple?

Banke Bihari Temple is built in the Rajasthani (contemporary) style, characteristic of Krishna shrines of this region.

Which festivals are celebrated at Banke Bihari Temple?

The principal festivals celebrated at Banke Bihari Temple include Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Holi, Sharad Purnima, Kartik Purnima, Jhulan Yatra / Hindola. These draw large crowds of pilgrims from across Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

How can I reach Banke Bihari Temple?

Nearest airport: Agra Airport (Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport), ~70 km; Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, ~165 km. Nearest railway: Mathura Junction (~10–12 km). Buses, taxis, and shared autos run frequently from Mathura to Vrindavan; the temple is in the heart of Vrindavan's narrow lanes.

Why is Banke Bihari Temple significant?

Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, UP, is among the city's seven most sacred shrines, famed for its curtained darshan ritual and bell-free child-deity worship.

What is the best time to visit Banke Bihari Temple?

October to March for weather; Holi and Janmashtami are festive but extremely crowded.