Reading Time: 8 minutes
Introduction
Bankey Bihari Temple in Vrindavan for Krishna worship. Located in the holy city of Vrindavan, Bankey Bihari Temple is one of the most popular and revered temples of Lord Krishna. Bankey means “bent at three places” and Bihari means “supreme enjoyer”, referring to the charming three-fold bending form of Shri Bankey Bihari ji. The deity here is called Bankey Bihari because legend has it that he appeared before Swami Haridas, the guru of the famous singer Tansen, in a bending posture.
This temple has a long history and great significance in the Braj region. Bankey Bihari temple was originally established in 1864 by Jagannath Das Baba, a follower of Swami Haridas. The current temple structure was built in 1917 under the sponsorship of Goswami Indramani Khatau and devoted disciples of Swami Haridas. Over the centuries, Bankey Bihari Temple became a prominent place of Krishna devotion and attracts thousands of devotees every day. The beautiful architecture, lively festivals, and divine presence of Bankey Bihari ji make this temple an enchanting spiritual destination in Vrindavan.
Location
The Bankey Bihari Temple is located in the holy city of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India. Vrindavan is situated about 11 km from Mathura, Krishna’s birthplace on the banks of river Yamuna.
The temple is situated near the area known as Nidhivan in Vrindavan. The exact address is Nidhivan Rd, near Prem Mandir, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh 281121. The closest major railway station to Vrindavan is Mathura Junction, which has regular trains connecting it to Delhi, Agra and other cities.
From Mathura, you can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach Bankey Bihari temple, which takes around 30 minutes. There are also direct buses and trains available from Delhi to Vrindavan. Once you reach Vrindavan, you can easily walk or take an auto-rickshaw to reach the temple, which is located right in the heart of the city.
Architecture
The temple features Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. The structure is made up of stone slabs and marble with intricate stone carvings. The temple has several small spires and domes made of polished sandstone.
The main shrine is two storied with two different floors. The outer room has an elevated floor while the inner sanctum’s floor is at ground level. This represents the difference between the material and spiritual worlds. Pilgrims have to descend to the inner sanctum to receive the deity’s blessings.
The temple layout includes the main shrine surrounded by several minor shrines and ancillary rooms. The outer courtyard and inner courtyard contain arched columns and galleries. The complex reflects a symmetric and geometric floor plan.
Overall, the architectural style combines traditional Rajasthan designs with Mughal influences to create an ornate facade and layout focused on the main shrine’s sanctity. The construction materials and decorative carvings add to the visual splendor.
Deity
The main deity at Bankey Bihari Temple is Bankey Bihari, a form of infant Krishna. Bankey means “bent at three places” and Bihari means “supreme enjoyer”, referring to Krishna’s tribhanga form and his playful nature.
The black stone murti of Bankey Bihari ji stands about 3 feet tall behind a curtain. He holds a flute in his left hand and has a charming three-fold bending form. The murti is decorated with garlands and jewels, and the curtain is only opened for a few seconds at a time to allow devotees a glimpse of the charming deity. It is believed that the murti’s beauty and divine energy are so powerful that keeping the curtain open for too long could overwhelm devotees. The brief curtain opening adds to the mystique and allure of Bankey Bihari ji’s darshan.
The worship of the Bankey Bihari murti follows the Nimbarka Sampradaya traditions established by Swami Haridas, the guru of Tansen. The curtains around the murti are said to have first manifested when Swami Haridas did not want anyone to see the deity during the three hours when he would personally dress and decorate Bankey Bihari ji.
Darshan Timings
The temple has a unique darshan system unlike other temples in India. The deity is only available for darshan during certain times of the day:
- Morning Darshan: From 7:30 AM to 8:15 AM
- Evening Darshan: From 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
The temple remains closed in the afternoon between 1:30 PM and 8:15 PM. During the closed hours, the deity takes rest and no one is allowed to enter the temple premises.
The evening aarti starts at 10:30 PM and darshan continues for some time after the aarti. Around 11:00 PM, the temple closes and devotes need to vacate the premises.
On special occasions and festivals, the timings may differ. For example, on Janmashtami, the temple is open throughout the night for darshan of Lord Krishna.
The unique timings add to the mysticism surrounding Bankey Bihari. Since the deity is only visible for limited hours, devotees need to plan accordingly to get darshan. Knowing the right timings is crucial if you wish to visit this highly popular temple in Vrindavan.
Festivals
The Bankey Bihari Temple celebrates many festivals throughout the year that attract thousands of devotees. Here are some of the major festivals celebrated at the temple:
Janmashtami
Janmashtami, which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, is one of the biggest festivals celebrated at Bankey Bihari Temple. The temple is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers. Special pujas and aartis are performed for Lord Bankey Bihari on this day. Thousands of devotees throng the temple to get a glimpse of Lord Krishna’s idol in his infant form during the midnight celebrations.
Holi
Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated with great fervor at Bankey Bihari Temple. The temple premises turn lively and colorful as devotees play with gulal and dance to the tunes of devotional Holi songs. It’s a delightful sight to behold Lord Bankey Bihari’s shrine smeared with colors on this day.
Rath Yatra
During the Rath Yatra festival, Lord Bankey Bihari’s idol is taken out on a chariot for a procession around Vrindavan. Devotees pull the chariot’s ropes while chanting and singing bhajans. The procession ends with Lord Bankey Bihari’s return to his shrine. It’s a grand celebration filled with religious fervor.
Radhashtami
Radhashtami is celebrated in honor of Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha. Special prayers and rituals are performed for Radha on this day. The temple is decorated beautifully to commemorate the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha.
Attractions Nearby
Vrindavan is home to many other historic temples and spiritual sites that are well worth visiting during your trip to Bankey Bihari Temple. Here are some of the top attractions nearby:
Radha Raman Temple – This temple, constructed in 1542, is one of the most famous in Vrindavan and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The black marble deity of Lord Krishna stands here alongside Radharani.
Govind Dev Temple – Also called Govind Deo Temple, it is one of the most visited temples in Vrindavan. It was constructed in 1590 by Raja Man Singh and is devoted to Lord Krishna and his childhood form Govind Dev.
Madan Mohan Temple – Located near Govind Dev Temple, Madan Mohan Temple was built in 1580 and has mesmerizing structural architecture. It is oldest temple in Vrindavan and is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Shahji Temple – This elegant temple was designed by the Mughal architect Shah Jahan in 1672. The temple has a striking blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles.
Kesi Ghat – One of the main ghats on the banks of river Yamuna. It is where Lord Krishna is believed to have bathed after killing the demon Kesi who had taken the form of a horse.
Seva Kunj – The sacred kunj where Lord Krishna is said to have performed the divine Raas Leela with Radha and the gopis. It is located next to Nidhivan.
Nidhivan – This sacred and popular location, set amidst a beautiful kadamba tree forest, is where Radha and the gopis are believed to come every night to dance with Lord Krishna.
There are many more incredible places to see around Bankey Bihari Temple that provide a deeper insight into Lord Krishna’s life and the region’s spiritual heritage. Do keep aside enough time during your visit to explore some of these attractions.
How to Reach
The nearest railway station to Bankey Bihari Temple is Mathura Junction, which is well connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, and Lucknow. From Mathura, you can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the temple in about 20-30 minutes.
The nearest airport is Kheria Airport in Agra, which is around 62 km away. From Agra Airport, you can hire a taxi or cab to reach Vrindavan. Some other nearby airports are Delhi Airport (195 km) and Lucknow Airport (148 km).
Buses for Vrindavan are available from major cities like Delhi, Agra, Mathura, etc. There are regular UP Roadways buses as well as private deluxe buses that run between these cities. Once in Vrindavan, you can take an auto-rickshaw or walk to reach the temple.
Within Vrindavan, cycle-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, tongas, and tempos are easily available for commuting to Bankey Bihari Temple. Electric cars have also been introduced by the authorities to reduce pollution.
Where to Stay
Vrindavan is an important Hindu pilgrimage site, so there are many accommodation options for pilgrims and devotees. The area around Bankey Bihari Temple has several budget hotels, lodges, and guest houses catering to pilgrims. Some popular options include:
Nidhivan Sarovar Portico – A mid-range hotel located just 1 km from Bankey Bihari Temple. It offers a/c rooms with free breakfast.
Krishna Balaram Guest House – A simple but clean guest house near Bankey Bihari Temple, offering dormitory beds and private rooms at affordable rates.
Meera Guest House – A budget lodge with decent rooms equipped with basic amenities. It’s walking distance from Bankey Bihari Temple.
Shri Krishna Haveli – A comfortable hotel with nice rooms and amenities like free WiFi. It’s about 2 km from the temple.
Sattva Raj Bhavan – A high-end hotel with luxury rooms and suites. They offer pick up/drop from temple for pilgrims.
In addition to hotels, many locals also offer paying guest accommodations and homestays for devotees and pilgrims visiting Bankey Bihari Temple. Staying near the temple allows easy access for darshan. With options across budgets, finding good accommodation in Vrindavan is easy for pilgrims.
Tips for Visitors
When visiting the Bankey Bihari Temple, there are some important dos and don’ts to keep in mind to ensure your visit goes smoothly:
Dos
- Dress conservatively – shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Remove your shoes before entering the temple.
- Beware of monkeys – they are everywhere! Don’t carry food or shiny objects they may try to snatch.
- Be respectful and quiet inside the temple.
- Follow the priest’s instructions for darshan.
- Hire a guide to understand the history and rituals better.
- Attend the evening aarti for a divine experience.
Don’ts
- Don’t touch or lean on the temple walls and structures.
- Avoid using flash to photograph the deity.
- Don’t litter – keep the temple premises clean.
- Don’t Promote guides or vendors inside the temple.
- Refrain from speaking loudly or playing music inside the temple.
- Don’t carry any leather items inside the temple.
Other Tips
- Reach early morning for quick darshan.
- Hire an autorickshaw instead of walking in the hot sun.
- Keep some change for donations and prasad.
- Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be standing in queues.
- Be patient, as darshan lines can be long. The experience is worth it!
By following these tips, you’ll have a safe and fulfilling visit to the Bankey Bihari Temple. Take time to soak in the divine atmosphere and culture of this incredible place.