Banke Bihari Mandir Timing 2024: Divine abode of Lord Krishna

Banke Bihari Mandir timing vary according to the season and the day of the week. You can find full information about opening and closing of temple.

Banke Bihari Mandir is one of the most famous and revered temples of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is known for its unique darshan style, where the curtains are drawn and opened every few minutes, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement among the devotees.

The temple also hosts various festivals and celebrations throughout the year, especially during Holi, Janmashtami, and Radhashtami.

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If you are planning to visit Banke Bihari Mandir, you might be wondering about the temple timings, how to reach there, what to do and see, and what to avoid. In this blog post, we will answer all these questions and provide you with some useful tips and information to make your visit a memorable one.

What are Banke Bihari Mandir Timing?

Shri Banke Bihari Mandir timing vary according to the season and the day of the week. The temple is open for darshan from morning to evening, with a break in the afternoon. The temple also has different timings for different types of darshan, such as shringar, rajbhog, and shayan.

Here are the general temple timings of Banke Bihari Mandir for both summer and winter seasons:

Summer Timings (effective 2 days after Holi)

• Temple opening hours: 7:45 am
• Shringar (dressing up of the idol): 8:00 am to 8:10 am
• Darshan (viewing of the idol): 8:10 am to 11:00 am
• No darshan: 11:00 am to 11:30 am
• Darshan: 11:30 am to 12:00 pm
• Rajbhog aarti (offering of food to the idol) and temple closing hours: 12:00 pm
• Temple reopening hours: 5:30 pm
• Darshan: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
• Shayan bhog (offering of food to the idol before sleeping) and no darshan: 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm
• Darshan: 9:00 pm to 9:30 pm
• Shayan aarti (waving of lamps before the idol before sleeping) and temple closing hours: 9:30 pm

Winter Timings (effective 2 days after Diwali)

• Temple opening hours: 8:45 am
• Shringar: 9:00 am to 9:15 am
• Darshan: 9:15 am to 12:00 pm
• Rajbhog and no darshan: 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm
• Darshan: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
• Rajbhog aarti and temple closing hours: 1:00 pm
• Temple reopening hours: 4:30 pm
• Darshan: 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
• Shayan bhog and no darshan: 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
• Darshan: 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm
• Shayan aarti and temple closing hours: 8:30 pm

Please note that these timings are subject to change depending on the temple management and the festival calendar. You can check the official website of Banke Bihari Mandir (https://www.bihariji.org/timings.php) for the latest updates and information.

How to Reach Banke Bihari Mandir?

Banke Bihari Mandir is located in the Bankebihari Colony of Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. The temple is about 11 km from Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and about 160 km from Delhi, the capital of India.

You can reach Banke Bihari Mandir by various modes of transport, such as:

• By air: The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, which is well-connected to domestic and international flights. From the airport, you can take a taxi, bus, or train to Vrindavan.
• By train: The nearest railway station is Mathura Junction, which is connected to major cities like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Jaipur, etc. From the station, you can take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or bus to Vrindavan.
• By road: Vrindavan is well-connected by road to nearby cities like Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, etc. You can take a private car, taxi, bus, or bike to reach Vrindavan. The Yamuna Expressway is the fastest and most convenient route to reach Vrindavan from Delhi.

Once you reach Vrindavan, you can either walk or take a cycle-rickshaw to reach Banke Bihari Mandir. The temple is about 2 km from the main bus stand and about 3 km from the ISKCON temple. The temple is situated in a narrow lane, so you cannot take a car or a bike inside. You can park your vehicle outside the temple premises and walk inside.

History of Banke Bihari Mandir

The temple was established in 1864 by Swami Haridas, a great saint and devotee of Lord Krishna. Swami Haridas was the guru of the famous musician Tansen and the royal poet Baiju Bawra. He used to sing and meditate in a secluded grove near the Yamuna river, where he had a vision of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha in their divine form.

Swami Haridas requested them to stay in the grove and manifested them as a single idol of Banke Bihari, which means the curved or bent form of Bihari, another name of Krishna. The idol was initially kept in a small temple in the grove, known as Nidhivan, where Swami Haridas used to worship it.

Later, the idol was moved to a bigger temple, which is the present Banke Bihari Mandir, by the disciples of Swami Haridas. The temple is built in the Rajasthani style of architecture and has a spacious courtyard and a sanctum sanctorum where the idol of Banke Bihari is installed.

Festivals and Celebrations at Banke Bihari Mandir 

The temple celebrates various festivals and occasions related to Lord Krishna and his devotees throughout the year. Some of the major festivals are:

Janmashtami: The birthday of Lord Krishna, which falls in the month of August or September, is celebrated with great fervor and devotion at the temple. The idol of Banke Bihari is adorned with new clothes and ornaments and a special midnight aarti is performed to mark the auspicious moment of his birth.

Holi: The festival of colors, which falls in the month of February or March, is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm at the temple. The idol of Banke Bihari is brought out of the sanctum and placed on a swing in the courtyard, where the devotees play Holi with him by throwing colored water and powder. The atmosphere is filled with music, dance and chants of “Hare Krishna”.

Radhashtami: The birthday of Radha, the beloved consort of Lord Krishna, which falls in the month of August or September, is celebrated with love and devotion at the temple. The idol of Banke Bihari is dressed up as Radha and a special aarti is performed to honor her.

Jhulan Yatra: The swing festival, which falls in the month of July or August, is celebrated with delight and fun at the temple. The idol of Banke Bihari is placed on a decorated swing in the courtyard, where the devotees swing him gently and offer him flowers, fruits and sweets.

Akshaya Tritiya: The day of eternal prosperity, which falls in the month of April or May, is celebrated with gratitude and generosity at the temple. The idol of Banke Bihari is covered with gold and silver ornaments and coins and a special aarti is performed to invoke his blessings.

What to Do and See in Banke Bihari?

Banke Bihari Mandir is not just a temple, but a living experience of the divine love of Lord Krishna and Radha. The temple is full of life, color, and joy, especially during the festivals and celebrations. Here are some of the things you can do and see at Banke Bihari Mandir:

• Witness the unique darshan style of Banke Bihari Ji, where the curtains are drawn and opened every few minutes, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement among the devotees. The devotees chant “Banke Bihari Lal Ki Jai” and “Radhe Radhe” as they wait for the glimpse of the Lord. The darshan is said to be so powerful that the devotees can feel the presence of the Lord in their hearts.
• Participate in the aarti and bhog ceremonies, where the devotees offer prayers, lamps, flowers, and food to the Lord. The aarti and bhog are performed four times a day, in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night. The devotees can also sing and dance along with the temple priests and musicians, who play various instruments like harmonium, tabla, flute, etc.
• Enjoy the festivals and celebrations, where the temple is decorated with flowers, lights, and colors. Some of the major festivals celebrated at Banke Bihari Mandir are Holi, Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Nandotsav, Annakut, etc. The devotees can witness the special darshan, aarti, and bhog of the Lord on these occasions. The devotees can also play Holi with the Lord, where they throw colored water and powder on the Lord and each other.
• Explore the temple premises, where you can see various paintings, sculptures, and relics related to Lord Krishna and Radha. You can also visit the samadhi of Swami Haridas, the founder of the temple, who was a great devotee and poet of Lord Krishna. You can also see the original idol of Banke Bihari Ji, which is kept in a separate room and is only brought out on special occasions.
• Shop for souvenirs, prasad, and other items, where you can find various shops and stalls selling religious and cultural items, such as idols, paintings, books, CDs, clothes, jewelry, etc. You can also buy the famous peda, a sweet made of milk and sugar, which is the specialty of Mathura and Vrindavan. You can also buy the prasad of Banke Bihari Ji, which is distributed to the devotees after the bhog.

What not to do in Banke Bihari Mandir?

Banke Bihari Mandir is a sacred place of worship, where the devotees come to seek the blessings of the Lord. Therefore, there are some things that you should avoid doing at Banke Bihari Mandir, such as:

• Do not wear shoes, leather items, or any non-vegetarian food inside the temple premises. You can leave your shoes and belongings at the shoe stand or locker outside the temple.
• Do not take photos or videos of the Lord or the temple without permission. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the temple, as it is considered disrespectful and distracting. You can take photos or videos outside the temple or with the permission of the temple authorities.
• Do not touch the idol of Banke Bihari Ji or the curtains. The idol of Banke Bihari Ji is very delicate and sensitive, and touching it can damage it or cause harm to the devotee. The curtains are also sacred and are meant to protect the Lord from the evil eye. Only the temple priests are allowed to touch the idol and the curtains.
• Do not push or shove other devotees or create any disturbance or noise inside the temple. The temple is a place of peace and devotion, where the devotees come to connect with the Lord. You should respect the sentiments and feelings of other devotees and maintain a calm and quiet atmosphere inside the temple.
• Do not fall prey to the touts, beggars, or fake priests, who might try to cheat you or harass you for money or favors. You should be careful and alert while dealing with such people and avoid giving them any money or valuables. You should also avoid taking any guidance or service from them, as they might mislead you or exploit you.

Tips for Visiting Banke Bihari Mandir

• The temple is open for darshan every day except for some special occasions when the idol is kept hidden from the public view. The devotees can check the temple website (https://www.bihariji.org/) or contact the temple authorities for the latest updates on the temple timings and events.
• The temple is very crowded during the peak seasons and festivals, so the devotees are advised to plan their visit accordingly and follow the instructions of the temple staff and volunteers.
• The temple does not allow photography or videography inside the premises, so the devotees are requested to respect the rules and refrain from using any electronic devices.
• The temple does not have any entry fee, but the devotees can offer donations or contributions to the temple trust for the maintenance and development of the temple.

• The temple has a dress code of decent and modest attire, so the devotees are requested to dress appropriately and avoid wearing shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops or any revealing clothes.
• The temple has a strict policy of no prasad or food items inside the temple, so the devotees are requested to leave their belongings outside the temple or in the locker facility provided by the temple.
• The temple has a unique tradition of closing the curtains in front of the idol after every few minutes, as it is believed that the intense gaze of Banke Bihari can make the devotees unconscious. The devotees are requested to be patient and wait for the curtains to open again to have the darshan of the idol.
• The temple has a serene and spiritual atmosphere, so the devotees are requested to maintain silence and decorum inside the temple and avoid any disturbance or nuisance.

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Conclusion

Banke Bihari Mandir is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to experience the divine love and grace of Lord Krishna. The temple is a place of bliss and joy, where the devotees can feel the presence of Banke Bihari and immerse themselves in his devotion. The temple is a symbol of the rich culture and heritage of Vrindavan, which is the land of Krishna and his pastimes. The temple is a source of inspiration and guidance for the seekers of spirituality and happiness.

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