Prem Mandir
VrindavanBeautiful white marble temple with spectacular evening illumination show.
Temple Overview
About Banke Bihari Temple Vrindavan
Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most revered and visited Krishna temples in all of Vrindavan. Dedicated to Lord Krishna in his Tribhanga posture — bent at three places — the deity is known as Banke Bihari, meaning the one who stands bent and beautiful. The temple is famous for its unique tradition of drawing a curtain in front of the deity every few minutes, as the divine gaze of Bihari Ji is believed to be so powerful that prolonged eye contact may overwhelm devotees.
Location
Vrindavan, UP
Entry Fee
Free Entry
Best Time
Early Morning
Deity
Lord Krishna
Darshan Timings
Banke Bihari Temple Timings
Temple timings may change during festivals and special events. Please verify current timings before planning your visit.
Daily Darshan Schedule
Summer Morning (Apr–Oct)
7:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Winter Morning (Nov–Mar)
8:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Summer Evening (Apr–Oct)
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Winter Evening (Nov–Mar)
4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Entry Fee
Free
Visitor Tips & Notes
- The curtain ritual is unique — the deity is revealed and hidden every few minutes during darshan.
- Weekends and festival days like Janmashtami are extremely crowded — plan early morning visits.
- Mobile photography is restricted inside the temple.
- Wear comfortable footwear as the temple area involves some walking.
History & Significance
History of Banke Bihari Temple
The Banke Bihari Temple was established in 1864 by Swami Haridas, a great saint and musician of Vrindavan. According to tradition, the deity of Banke Bihari was originally found at Nidhivan — the sacred grove in Vrindavan. Swami Haridas is said to have received the deity through divine grace during his intense devotional practices at Nidhivan.
Swami Haridas was also the spiritual guru of Tansen, the legendary musician in Emperor Akbar's court, which adds a rich cultural heritage to this sacred place. The temple is managed by the descendants of Swami Haridas and remains one of the most emotionally charged darshan experiences in all of Braj Bhoomi.
Significance
What Makes Banke Bihari Temple Special
The Curtain Tradition
The curtain is drawn every few minutes during darshan as the divine gaze of Bihari Ji is considered extremely powerful.
Connection to Swami Haridas
Established by saint Swami Haridas, guru of Tansen, adding both spiritual and cultural depth to the temple.
Tribhanga Posture
The deity stands in the Tribhanga posture — bent at three points — representing the playful and loving form of Krishna.
Millions of Devotees
Banke Bihari Temple attracts more devotees than almost any other temple in Vrindavan, especially during Janmashtami.
How to Reach
How to Reach Banke Bihari Temple
Mathura Junction
Vrindavan Road (10 km)
Banke Bihari Gali
Banke Bihari Temple
Banke Bihari Temple is located in the narrow lanes of Vrindavan's temple zone. It is easily accessible by private cab, auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw from Mathura Junction, Vrindavan hotels and from Delhi via Yamuna Expressway. The last stretch to the temple is best covered on foot or by e-rickshaw through the Banke Bihari Gali lanes.
Nearby Places
Places to Visit Near Banke Bihari Temple
ISKCON Temple
VrindavanFamous for kirtan, prasad and peaceful devotional atmosphere.
Nidhivan
VrindavanSacred grove believed to be the site of Radha Krishna nightly leelas.
Krishna Janmabhoomi
MathuraThe sacred birthplace of Lord Krishna in the heart of Mathura.
Tour Packages
Banke Bihari Temple Tour Packages
FAQs
Banke Bihari Temple Vrindavan FAQs
In summer (April–October), morning darshan is from 7:45 AM to 12:00 PM and evening darshan is from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. In winter (November–March), morning darshan is from 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM and evening darshan is from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
The curtain is drawn every few minutes because the gaze of Banke Bihari Ji is believed to be intensely divine and powerful. Prolonged direct eye contact may overwhelm devotees. This is a unique tradition observed only at this temple.
Photography and mobile phone use are generally restricted inside the main sanctum of Banke Bihari Temple. Visitors should follow temple guidelines and respect the rules during darshan.
Early morning darshan on weekdays is the best time to visit to avoid large crowds. The temple gets very crowded on weekends and during festivals like Janmashtami, Holi and Radhashtami.
Banke Bihari Temple is located in Vrindavan, approximately 10 km from Mathura Junction. It takes about 20–30 minutes by private cab or auto-rickshaw from Mathura.
Modest clothing is recommended. Women should wear dupatta or shawl. Men should avoid sleeveless shirts. Removing shoes before entering the sanctum is mandatory.
Yes, Prasad is distributed to devotees after darshan. The temple offers milk, sweets and laddoos as prasad. You can also purchase laddoos from the temple shop near the entrance.
October to March is the ideal season with pleasant weather. Avoid April to June due to extreme heat. During Janmashtami and Holi, the temple is extremely crowded but the atmosphere is uniquely divine.
The temple has limited accessibility for elderly and disabled visitors. Stairs lead to the main sanctum. However, temple staff may provide assistance on request and cab drivers can drop visitors at the nearest entry point.
Yes, devotees can offer flowers and garlands at the temple. Flowers are available at shops near the temple entrance. You can also participate in group aartis held throughout the day.
