Banke Bihari Temple

Hindu temple dedicated to the combined form of Radha Krishna in Vrindavan

27°34′47″N 77°41′26″E / 27.57976°N 77.69051°E / 27.57976; 77.69051ArchitectureTypeRajasthaniCompleted1862[1]Elevation169.77 m (557 ft)Websitebankeybihari.info
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Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
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Banke Bihari Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the town of Vrindavan, Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Banke Bihari who is believed to be the combined form of Radha and Krishna. Banke Bihari was originally worshipped at Nidhivan, Vrindavan. Later, when Banke Bihari temple was constructed around 1864, the icon of Banke Bihari was moved to its present temple.[2][3]

In Banke Bihari temple, the icon of Radha Krishna's united form stands in the Tribhanga posture. Swami Haridas originally worshipped this murti under the name of Kunj Bihari which means the one who enjoys in the groves or Kunj of Vrindavan.[4]

History

Devotees taking darshan at Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan
Devotees at Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan

The icon of Banke Bihari was originally worshiped by Svāmī Haridās under the name Kuñjbihārī. His disciples bestowed the name Bāṅke Bihārī due to the image's tribhaṅga posture. The icon's appearance is celebrated on Bihar Panchami. Formerly Bāṅke Bihārī was worshipped in Nidhivan, but was moved to the present location in the 19th century due a dispute between the sādhu and gosvāmī followers of Haridās. The gosvāmī's built the current temple and reside behind it.[5]

In scriptures

Krishna upholding the Govardhan mountain in the Tribhanga pose

'Bānke' means 'bent', and 'Bihāri' or 'Vihāri' means 'enjoyer'. This is how Kṛiṣhṇa, who is bent in three places, got the name "Bānke Bihāri". According to Śrī Brahma-saḿhitā (verse 5.31), Brahma says the following about Kṛishna

"I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, round whose neck is swinging a garland of flowers beautified with the moon-locket, whose two hands are adorned with the flute and jewelled ornaments, who always revels in pastimes of love, whose graceful threefold-bending form of Śyāmasundara is eternally manifest."[6][7]

Rituals

Worship of Radha Krishna

In Banke Bihari temple, Banke Bihari is worshiped in the form of a small child. Thus, no early morning aarti is performed and no bells are hanged anywhere inside the temple premises as it may create the disturbance to Banke Bihari. Only on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, mangala aarti (early morning aarti) is performed. Curtains are drawn closed repeatedly in every five minutes to avoid the uninterrupted darshan of Banke Bihari as according to the popular belief if darshans are not interrupted, Banke bihari may accompany devotees to their homes, leaving temple empty. Only once a year, Banke Bihari holds the flute in his hands which is on the occasion of Sharad Purnima. Only once in the month of Shravan is Banke Bihari placed in a swing.[8][5][5]

  • Entrance of Banke Bihari Temple
    Entrance of Banke Bihari Temple
  • Nidhivana
    Nidhivana
  • Bankey Bihari Temple gate, sideview
    Bankey Bihari Temple gate, sideview
  • Garland sellers outside Banke Bihari Temple
    Garland sellers outside Banke Bihari Temple

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Banke Bihari Temple.
  1. ^ Glory project of Bihar, ISKCON PATNA, developed by Mahesh K Sanatan. "Temple History & Bihari Ji Appearance in Nidhivan - Shri Shri Banke Bihari, Vrindavan Dham". www.bankeybihari.info. Retrieved 9 June 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Visit Banke Bihari Temple". Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  3. ^ Rājaśekhara Dāsa (2000). The Color Guide to Vṛndāvana: India's Most Holy City of Over 5,000 Temples. Vedanta Vision Publication.
  4. ^ "Shri Banke Bihari | District Mathura, Government of Uttar Pradesh | India". Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Entwistle, A.W. (1987). Braj: Centre of Krishna Pilgrimage. Egbert Forsten. p. 403.
  6. ^ pnd (1 January 2012). "Bs 5.31". www.vedabase.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  7. ^ Brahma Samhita (in Sanskrit).
  8. ^ Bansal, Sunita Pant (2008). Hindu Pilgrimage. Pustak Mahal. ISBN 978-81-223-0997-3.
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