Banke Bihari Temple

In the crowded, joyful lanes of old Vrindavan stands the temple of Banke Bihari, the form of Shri Krishna bent in three places, standing in his tribhanga pose. Few temples in India carry such an atmosphere of intimate affection between the deity and his devotees.

History of the Temple

The murti of Banke Bihari was revealed to Swami Haridas, the great saint and musician of the Nimbarka tradition, in Nidhivan. The present temple was built in 1864 through the devotion of the Goswami families who continue the seva today.

Significance of the Temple

Banke Bihari is served like a living child of the house. There are no bells in the temple, so that Thakur Ji is never startled. The curtain before the deity is drawn every few minutes, because tradition holds that a long, unbroken gaze from Bihari Ji could sweep a devotee away entirely. Darshan here comes in glimpses, and devotees say each glimpse follows you home.

What to Experience

Jhanki darshan

The rhythm of the opening and closing curtain, with the crowd calling out in joy at every opening, is an experience found nowhere else.

Nidhivan nearby

The sacred grove where Swami Haridas received Bihari Ji is a short walk away and completes the story of this temple.