Banke Bihari Mandir, Vrindavan Overview
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In the Mathura district’s sacred city of Vrindavan, there is a Hindu temple called Shri Banke Bihari Mandir that is devoted to Lord Krishna. This temple, one of the most venerated in the nation, is one of the seven temples of Thakur of Vrindavan, along with Sri Govind Dev Ji, Sri Radhavallabh Ji, and four more. When you approach the Banke Bihari Temple, you are greeted by its magnificent Rajasthani-style structure, which features precise stonework and arched windows. The temple’s representation of Lord Krishna is depicted as a young kid standing in the Tribhanga posture. The absence of bells or conchs on the Banke Bihari temple grounds is noteworthy, as the Lord is reportedly not fond of their sound. Calm chants of ‘Radha Naam’ are used to invoke the gods.
“Banke” means “bent in three places,” and “Bihari” means “ultimate enjoyer.” The statue housed in the Banke Bihari Temple was formerly known as Kunj-Bhari, which translates to “lake-enjoyer.” The Bihariji’s sewa is distinctive in its own right. Every day, it is performed in three parts: Rajbhog, Shayan, and Shringar. Shayan Sewa, which means sleep, is presented in the evening, while Rajbhog (meal) and Shringar (bath, clothing, and adornment with jewelry like crowns and necklaces) are offered in the forenoon. The Banke Bihari Temple is crowded with worshippers year-round and is one of the holiest locations for the worship of Lord Krishna.
Legend of Banke Bihari Mandir
The origin story of the Banke Bihari temple explains how it came to be. As a devoted follower of Lord Krishna, it is thought that Swami Haridas devoted most of his time to prayer, meditation, and reading sacred texts. He was so devoted to the Lord that he maintained his severe discipline even after tying the knot with Harimatiji. Following her submission to the Lord, Haridas traveled to Vrindavan and selected what is now known as Nidhivan, a remote location for meditation.
Must See:Â Places to visit in Vrindavan
When Swamiji allowed his pupils to visit Nidhivan one day, they noticed something out of the ordinary. It was unlike anything they had ever seen; a brilliant light filled the entire space. It was none other than Lord Krishna, who had personally come alongside his spouse Radha in front of the believers. Observing the impact of the Lord’s presence on his followers, Swami Haridas asked for the Lord and his spouse to assume a single form. He also desired that his favorite god would always be in front of him.
Banke Bihari Temple Pooja Timings
The Banke Bihari Temple has distinct pooja times according to the season. Here’s an illustration of the same:
SUMMERS
Opening time:Â 7:00 AM
Morning Aarti:Â 7:45 AM to 8:00 AM
Darshan Timings:Â 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM- 9:30 PM
WINTERS
Darshan Timings:Â 8:45 AM – 1 PM, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Rituals at Banke Bihari MandirÂ
At the Banke Bihari Temple, special days related to the life of Lord Krishna are observed with joy and vigor. The temple celebrates Janmashtami with the Mangala aarti, and Akshaya Tritiya is the only day on which the deity’s lotus feet are visible. Only on the day of the fall full moon may one witness the deity adorned in a unique crown and holding a flute. The Deity comes down from his shrine and becomes completely visible on the final five days of the Hindu month of Phalguna, which coincides with the Holi festival. He is also observed sporting four “gopis” at this same time.
Jhulan Yatra at Banke Bihari MandirÂ
On the third day of the waxing moon, people celebrate Jhulan Yatra, the swing festival of Lord Krishna, during which Lord Banke Bihari sits on a golden swing known as a “hindola.” Unlike other temples, the curtain is pulled shut and then opened again every few minutes. It is said that if someone were to stare into Banke Bihari’s eyes for an extended period of time, they would render them unconscious due to their extreme brilliance. During this time, a great number of people go to the temple to see their beloved deity.
How To Reach Banke Bihari Mandir
There are regular buses, tempos, and taxis that travel between Mathura and Vrindavan; Mathura is only 12 kilometers distant. Situated on the Delhi-Agra NH-2 lies Vrindavan. The temple is located 7 kilometers from the National Highway, and there are several buses that travel between Agra and Delhi. Due to the availability of rickshaws and regular tempos throughout the day, accessing the shrine is quite simple.
