श्री बांके बिहारी जी मंदिर, वृन्दावन
Shri Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
An independent guide to the temple of Thakur Banke Bihari Ji: darshan timings as published by the temple, visitor rules, how to reach Vrindavan, festivals and history, with sources for important facts.
Independent Banke Bihari Temple guide. Not the official temple website.
- Looking for the official website?
- The temple's own website is bihariji.org (opens in a new tab). This guide is independent of it.
- Address
- Bihari Pura, Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh 281121, India. Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Today's regular schedule
Summer schedule, 5 March to 10 November 2026
Morning 7:45 AM to 12:00 noon
Evening 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Based on the temple's published regular schedule on its official homepage. The temple's Contact Us page gives extended hours of 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:15 PM to 9:30 PM; see both. Special festival, eclipse or administrative arrangements may differ. Last verified 24 October 2026. Homepage source (opens in a new tab).
Who is Banke Bihari?
Banke Bihari is a form of Krishna worshipped in Vrindavan, in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh. Banke means "bent", describing the tribhanga posture of the image, bent at the neck, waist and knee. Bihari means "the one who enjoys".
Temple tradition According to the temple's account, the deity appeared at Nidhivan in answer to the devotion of Swami Haridas, when Krishna and his consort "turned itself into one single black charming idol". Devotees therefore regard Banke Bihari as the united form of Radha and Krishna. Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab)
Historical record The temple's official history says the deity was first installed in a temple close to Nidhivan, and that the Goswamis built it. The temple's official website dates the present temple to 1862 AD, while some other sources give 1864; this guide follows the temple's account. Seva is performed by descendants of Goswami Jagannath, whom the temple describes as Swami Haridas's younger brother and principal disciple. Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia: Banke Bihari Temple (opens in a new tab) (tertiary) Read the history of the temple.
Customs visitors notice first
Knowing these before you arrive helps the darshan make sense.
The curtain, drawn again and again
The temple's own history notes that darshan "is never continuous but is broken by the curtain drawn on him regularly". Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab) Devotees explain the custom with stories about the power of the Lord's gaze.
The custom and its storiesMangla Aarti on one day only
The temple's calendar states that Mangla Aarti is performed only on Janmashtami. Source: Official temple festival calendar (opens in a new tab)
Charan Darshan on Akshaya Tritiya
The temple lists Charan Darshan in the morning and Sarvang Darshan in the evening on Akshaya Tritiya. Source: Official temple festival calendar (opens in a new tab)
No VIP darshan system
The temple states that it does not have a VIP darshan system. Be wary of anyone selling quick entry. Source: Official temple FAQ (opens in a new tab)
Leave your phone behind
The temple's rules ask visitors not to carry mobile phones, electronic gadgets, umbrellas or leather items. Source: Official temple do's and don'ts (opens in a new tab)
Your darshan, in four steps
A short version of our full visit plan.
Pick a quieter day
The temple says Ekadashi, Purnima, Amavasya, weekends and festivals are its busiest days, and advises elderly devotees and families with small children to avoid festivals. Source: Official temple website: visit the temple (opens in a new tab) Crowd levels vary, so we do not guarantee a particular quiet hour.
Reach Vrindavan
The temple gives Mathura Junction as about 14 km away, with taxis, rickshaws and buses available from the station. Source: Official temple website: visit the temple (opens in a new tab)
Walk the last stretch
Vehicles cannot reach the temple directly. Park in one of Vrindavan's car parks and continue on foot or by e-rickshaw. Source: Official temple website: visit the temple (opens in a new tab)
Follow the queue
The temple asks visitors to follow the queue system and to deposit offerings in the hundi or at the branch office inside. Source: Official temple do's and don'ts (opens in a new tab)
What the official website shows
The temple's official website currently shows two sets of darshan hours, on different pages, checked 24 October 2026. It has not yet published a winter 2026 to 2027 table.
Compare timetables and sources- Homepage timetable (summer, to 10 Nov)
- 7:45 AM to 12:00 noon
5:30 PM to 9:30 PM - Contact Us page ("extended")
- 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM
4:15 PM to 9:30 PM - Winter (previous seasons) unconfirmed
- 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM
4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
A year at Banke Bihari
Festival dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar. Dates below are from the temple's published festival calendar. Source: Official temple festival calendar (opens in a new tab)
- From Kamda Ekadashi to Hariyali Amavasya
Phool Bangla season
The temple's calendar marks Kamda Ekadashi as the first day and Hariyali Amavasya as the last day of Phool Bangla.
(past, as of 24 October 2026)
- Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya
Charan Darshan (morning) and Sarvang Darshan (evening), according to the temple's calendar.
(past, as of 24 October 2026)
- Shravan Shukla Tritiya
Hariyali Teej
Listed by the temple as the "Jhoola festival".
(past, as of 24 October 2026)
- Bhadrapad Krishna Ashtami
Krishna Janmashtami
The temple states that Mangla Aarti is performed only on this day.
(past, as of 24 October 2026)
- Bhadrapad Shukla Ashtami
Radha Ashtami
Listed by the temple as the birthday of Radha and of Swami Haridas.
(past, as of 24 October 2026)
- Ashwin Shukla Purnima
Sharad Purnima
Listed by the temple as the "Day of Maha Raas".
(upcoming, as of 24 October 2026)
- Kartik Krishna Amavasya
Deepavali (Diwali)
Listed in the temple's calendar, with Roop Chaturdashi the day before and Annakoot (Govardhan Pooja) the day after.
(upcoming, as of 24 October 2026)
- Kartik Shukla Navami
Akshay Navami
Listed by the temple with the Vrindavan–Mathura Yugal Parikrama.
(upcoming, as of 24 October 2026)
- Margashirsha Shukla Panchami
Bihar Panchami
Listed by the temple as the "Day of Appearance of Bihariji".
(upcoming, as of 24 October 2026)
- Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi to Chaitra Krishna Pratipada
Holi season (Aamla Ekadashi to Dhulendi)
The temple's calendar marks Aamla Ekadashi as the day "colourful Holi celebrations start" and Holika Dahan as the day they end, with Dhulendi and Dolotsav the next day.
(upcoming, as of 24 October 2026)
Quick facts
- Deity
- Thakur Shri Banke Bihari Ji, a form of Krishna. According to the temple's account, the united form of Radha and Krishna. Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab)
- Revealed by
- Swami Haridas, at Nidhivan, Vrindavan, according to temple tradition. Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab)
- Present temple built
- 1862 AD according to the temple's official history; some other sources give 1864. Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab)
- Seva
- Performed by descendants of Goswami Jagannath. Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab)
- Location
- Bihari Pura, Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh 281121, India. Approximate coordinates 27.57976, 77.69051. Source: Wikipedia: Banke Bihari Temple (opens in a new tab) (tertiary)
- Registration
- Not required for darshan, according to the temple. Source: Official temple FAQ (opens in a new tab)
- Nearest railway station
- Mathura Junction railway station (MTJ), about 14 km. Source: Official temple website: visit the temple (opens in a new tab)
- Airports
- Agra, about 70 km; Delhi, about 150 km. Source: Official temple website: visit the temple (opens in a new tab)
- Phones and gadgets
- The temple asks visitors not to carry them. Source: Official temple do's and don'ts (opens in a new tab)
In this guide
From the blog
All articles- TraditionsWhy the curtain is drawn at Banke BihariDarshan here is broken by a curtain drawn at intervals. What the temple says about it, and the devotional stories that explain it.
- HistorySwami Haridas: the saint behind Banke BihariThe temple's account of the saint-musician whose devotion, it says, brought Banke Bihari into the world.
- FestivalsHoli at Banke Bihari TempleWhen the temple's Holi celebrations start according to its calendar, what is widely described, and how to stay safe in the crowds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Banke Bihari Temple open every day?
The temple says it is open daily, including national holidays, with a morning and an evening darshan session. It says timings change for eclipses and certain festivals, and that changes are announced on its homepage and FAQ. Source: Official temple website: darshan (opens in a new tab)
What are the regular darshan timings?
The official homepage timetable (summer, 5 March to 10 November 2026) gives 7:45 AM to 12:00 noon and 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. The official Contact Us page says hours have been extended to 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:15 PM to 9:30 PM. Both were checked on 24 October 2026. Source: Official temple website: darshan timings (opens in a new tab); Official temple website: Contact Us FAQ (opens in a new tab) See our timings page for winter and for how to confirm.
Is this the temple's official website?
No. The temple's official website is bihariji.org (opens in a new tab). This is an independent guide, not operated by or affiliated with the temple administration, and it does not take donations or bookings.
Where is Banke Bihari Temple?
In the Bihari Pura area of Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. The temple gives Mathura Junction as about 14 km away. Source: Official temple website: visit the temple (opens in a new tab) Open in Google Maps.
Can visitors take photographs or carry phones?
The temple's rules ask visitors not to carry mobile phones, electronic gadgets, umbrellas or leather items. Source: Official temple do's and don'ts (opens in a new tab)
Is there VIP or paid quick darshan?
The temple states that it does not have a VIP darshan system. Source: Official temple FAQ (opens in a new tab)