Banke Bihari Mandir is one of the most popular Hindu temples situated in Vrindavan, Mathura district. It is hailed to be one of the holiest and sacred temples dedicated to Lord Krishna in India. The temple gains its name from the Banke Bihari, meaning one who roams or resides in the forest, that is Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna idol is in Tribhanga pose.
Rituals Observed By Devotees At Banke Bihari Mandir
While there are several rituals at the Banke Bihari Mandir, the Jhulan Yatra has to be the most important one. During the Jhulan yatra, the silver-plated and solid-silver swing is displayed for the devotees. The Jhulan yatra’s first day is held during the third day of the waxing moon when Shri Banke Bihari of the temple is suspended in gold. In other temples, the curtains are closed. However, in the case of Banke Bihari Mandir, the curtains are drawn back and forth every minute. While the Jhulan Yatra is the main ritual observed at the Banke Bihari Mandir, other rituals are also observed. These include:
1. Curtain And Darshan
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As mentioned above, the curtain is constantly drawn back and forth making the idol not constantly visible. The purdah or curtain is only drawn for some time to reveal the idol to the audience. Since the gaze of Banke Bihari is too strong, staring in the idol’s eyes for too long can lead to a sense of reverence and anticipation. The devotees are asked not to look at the eyes of the idol for too long.
Fact: Most of the time, the curtains are closed to keep away the negative eyes.
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2. Temple Closes After Evening Darshan
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It is quite known that almost all temples in India have their gates closed after the evening darshan. However, the rituals are slightly different in the Banke Bihari Mandir. It is believed that after the temple closes, Krishna moves to the nearby forest where he plays his flute till the early hours.
The Gopis visit him in the forest, where they dance to the soulful notes of the flute. Many Brajvashis have also claimed to have heard Lord Krishna’s flute. During this time, no temple bells or conches are played around this area.
Fact: After the Shyan arti, the temple is closed so Banke Bihari can visit the nearby forest.
3. Special Seva
One of the main rituals surrounding the temple is about the Shringar of the idol, Rajbhog and Shayan Aarti during the evening. The shringar of idol is done because of the locals’ beliefs around here. According to the lore, the idol of Banke Bihari leaves the temple at night to play his flute and visit the nearby Nidhivan forest.
Fact: Different types of prasada are accepted as a part of Special seva.
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4. Festival Darshan
The devotees are given an opportunity for festival darshan nearby. This is held only during particular or special occasions, when the devotees get a rare darshan. During Akshaya Tritiya, the devotees get a chance to see the feet of the Lord, and on Sharad Purnima, they get a view of the Lord’s crown. However, the devotees get a complete view of Lord Krishna during Holi celebrations.
Fact: The timings may change during festivals, so plan your visit accordingly.
The Unique Idol Of Lord Krishna
Unlike other temples, the Banke Bihari idol is very different. It is said to be a special form representing both- Radha and Krishna, the divine couple. It is believed that the idol was manifested by Swami Haridas- the musician and saint from Vrindavan.
Apart from being a piece of art, the idol also holds religious, cultural, and historical significance. It is considered to be a symbol of the divine union of Radha and Krishna, reflecting both feminine and masculine energy in one form. The devotees visiting the temple respect the idol and often consider it an embodiment of love and spiritual connection.
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Unique Banke Bihari Temple Facts
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The Banke Bihari temple has various secrets hidden with it. Many devotees have described their experience of visiting the temple in different ways. Although the idol isn’t always visible to the devotees, there are times when it is. As mentioned, the idol is open for devotees’ darshan during special events. Therefore, several devotees have been teared up on getting a glimpse of the idol. Devotees believe that they tear up because they feel a direct connection with Lord Krishna when they see the idol. Their crying is said to directly respond to their deep love and devotion towards Lord Krishna. The devotees feel that the Lord acknowledges their existence as Banke Bihari, which builds a strong emotional connection.
Such an overpowering and overwhelming response can only be felt when there’s a divine presence of Lord Krishna. The playful nature of Lord Krishna as Banke Bihari stirs up some of the most intense emotions in the devotees.
Shri Banke Bihari Mandir History
Shri Banke Bihari Mandir history dates back to the 19th century, when it was built in the year 1864. The temple is associated with a saint and poet and a passionate devotee of Lord Krishna, Swami Haridas. Swami Haridas was the disciple of Swami Tansen, the prominent musician at Emperor Akbar’s court. As per the legend in the local areas, Swami Haridas was frequently visited by Lord Krishna as a young child who would listen to his music and rejoice in it. The music was said to be soul-stirring. Later on, Lord Krishna gifted a deity of Banke Bihari to Swami Haridas who then enshrined it as the temple.
Banke Bihari Mandir has been the centre of attraction for all Lord Krishna devotees. The traditional Phool Bangla Seva is a unique type of tradition conducted at the temple. Per the ritual, the deity is adorned with a magnificent flower structure. During this time, the temple overflows with divine energy, and thousands of devotees from around the world visit.
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Banke Bihari Mandir Timings
In order to seek the blessings of Banke Bihari, the devotees need to visit the temple at particular times as decided by the temple authorities. The different Banke Bihari timings are as follows:
- Mangala Aarti- 8:00 AM
- Shringar Aarti- 9:00 AM
- Rajbhog Aarti- 12:00 PM
- Gwal Aarti- 6:30 PM
- Sandhya Aarti- 7:30 PM
- Shyan Aarti- 9:30 PM
The temple authorities have set aside a resting time for Thakurji from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. It is important to note that Banke Bihari Mandir’s timings will vary significantly on festivals and special occasions. Therefore, the devotees must check the timings during these festivals before planning the visit.
Banke Bihari Mandir Festivals
Banke Bihar Mandir celebrates Lord Krishna on a wide scale during the following festivals:
- Janmashtami: During this time, the temple attracts thousands of devotees from around the world to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. The temple is decorated with lights, colourful decorations and flowers.
- Radhashtami: Not only Lord Krishna, the appearance day of Radha Mata is also celebrated on a wide scale at the temple.
- Holi: Holi is celebrated with wide enthusiasm at the Banke Bihari Mandir. The devotees come together and play with colours in a joyous mood.
- Jhulan Yatra: Jhulan Yatra is celebrated during Shravan month when the swings are beautifully decorated with the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani placed on them.
- Annakoot: In this festival, the deities are given food as a form of gratitude for the bountiful harvest.
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You can now plan your trip to Vrindavan and worship Lord Krishna. The temple is historically important and culturally significant and has a divine energy. Over the years, the Banke Bihari Mandir has become one of the main destinations for devotees of Lord Krishna.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Banke Bihari Mandir
Why is the Banke Bihari Mandir so popular?
The Banke Bihari Mandir is so popular because its idol is of the divine couple Radha Krishna. The historical significance of the mandir's formation is one of the main reasons why it is so popular.
What are the prasads offered in Banke Bihari Mandir?
The different prasads offered at the Banke Bihari Mandir include soan papdi, pista peda, chappan bhog and Mathura peda.
Why is there a curtain at the Banke Bihari Mandir?
The curtain at the Banke Bihari Mandir is present to ward off the negative evil eyes from the idol of Banke Bihari.
Why are temple bells not rung in the Mandir?
The temple bells are not rung at the Banke Bihari Mandir because the pujaris consider it to be rude to wake up the sleeping Lord Krishna.
Who manages the Banke Bihari temple?
The Sevayat Goswami priests community currently manages the Banke Bihari mandir.
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