Place Details:
Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan is a loving tribute to the mischievous god Krishna built by the influential Goswami family in 1863. Vrindavan and Mathura, which lie around 11 km apart, are deeply rooted in the mythology of Krishna. The god is said to have been born in a prison in Mathura, and you can still see the alleged prison cell in the city, at the site of the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. His father, Vasudeva, smuggles him out of the prison to safety across the raging Yamuna River, which gives way for the god. Krishna is successfully brought to Vrindavan, where he is cared for by Nanda and Yashoda. ALSO READ: Vrindavan Photos: Images of The Hindu Pilgrim Destination Where Shri Krishna Spent His Childhood
What makes the Banke Bihari temple so famous is the idol. While the Goswamis built the temple structure, the idol is much older, dating back to a shrine built by Swami Haridas, the guru of legendary musician Tansen. Haridas was supposedly given the idols by Krishna and Radha themselves, after listening to him sing, and the idol itself represents Krishna in the form of his mischievous youth. As such, the stories around this temple are based around the treatment of the god as a child. Unlike other temples, there are no loud bells here to call to the god because it not considered wise or appropriate to a wake a child like that. NOW READ: 5 reasons why you should visit Mathura in December
A curtain covers the idol, because it is said that once a Rajasthani princess became so mesmerized by the child that Krishna just had to follow her back to her kingdom. Haridas found that the idol was missing and later found it with the princess, and so it is that a curtain covers the idol to protect Krishna from other devotees. It is only during Akshaya Tritiya that the idol is shown, but even then it is only his feet. Because of its veneration of Krishna’s child-like mischief, the temple is considered by many to be the most famous of Vrindavan’s numerous temples dedicated to the god.
BEST TIME TO VISIT VRINDAVAN
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Vrindavan is as given below. The best time to visit Vrindavan is also specified.