Banke Bihari Templeबांके बिहारी मंदिर
Vrindavan's most crowded temple, where the curtain is drawn across the deity every few minutes.
See what is open on your dateOpen in Google MapsWhereMathura, Uttar Pradesh
Braj & Agra
Braj & Agra
Kind of placeTemples & Shrines, Pilgrimage Routes
Best time to visit15 October to 15 March and 25 February to 20 March
Good seasonsPost-monsoon (October to November), Winter (December to February)
DifficultyEasy
Time needed2 hrs
Base and nearbyVrindavan, Mathura Junction
EntryFree · very crowded, keep hold of your phone and shoes
About Banke Bihari Temple
The image that Swami Haridas found in Nidhivan in the 16th century, housed in this temple since 1864. The darshan is unusual: the curtain is drawn across every few minutes so nobody holds the gaze of the deity too long, there are no bells, and the mangala aarti is held only on Janmashtami. It is the most crowded temple in Braj and the week before Holi it is near impossible, which is also when people most want to be there.
What to see and do
- The curtain darshan
- Holi week and the phoolon wali Holi
- Swami Haridas and the Nidhivan image
- Lanes of old Vrindavan around it
Opening status, best time and closures here are estimates from usual seasons and past patterns, not live information. Confirm with the local authority before you go. Terms of use
More places in Mathura
- BarsanaMathura, Uttar Pradesh · Temples & ShrinesRadha's hilltop temple and the Lathmar Holi where the women do the beating.
- Dauji Temple, BaldeoMathura, Uttar Pradesh · Temples & ShrinesBraj's main Balram temple, and the Huranga Holi where the men lose their shirts.
- Dwarkadhish TempleMathura, Uttar Pradesh · Temples & ShrinesMathura's main Vallabh-sect temple, built 1814, with a swing festival every Shravan.
- Gokul and MahavanMathura, Uttar Pradesh · Pilgrimage RoutesThe village Krishna was carried to as a baby, with the Raman Reti sands and the 84-pillared hall next door.
- Govardhan ParikramaMathura, Uttar Pradesh · Pilgrimage RoutesThe 21 km barefoot circuit round the hill Krishna lifted, the core walk of Braj.
- ISKCON Krishna Balaram MandirMathura, Uttar Pradesh · Temples & ShrinesThe ISKCON temple Prabhupada built in 1975, where his samadhi now stands.
- NandgaonMathura, Uttar Pradesh · Temples & ShrinesKrishna's childhood village, where the men take their turn at Lathmar Holi the day after Barsana.
- Nidhivan and Seva KunjMathura, Uttar Pradesh · Pilgrimage RoutesTulsi groves locked every night for the raas, and full of monkeys who want your glasses.
All places in Mathura · All places in Uttar Pradesh
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Jagah Pedia is a free travel guide by Santosh Pandey. Status, timings and closures are estimates from usual patterns, so confirm locally before you travel.