Daily rituals of Banke Bihari Ji

Who performs the seva

Historical record The seva, or service, of Banke Bihari is performed by descendants of Goswami Jagannath, to whom, the temple says, Swami Haridas handed the seva. Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab) Most of it happens inside the sanctum and is not visible to visitors.

Religious belief In the devotional tradition of Swami Haridas, the deity is served with intimate affection rather than formal ceremony. Devotees often explain the temple's distinctive customs, such as the curtain, in these terms.

The shape of the day

The temple's history summarises the day: it "doesn't have a tradition of Mangala (which includes bath, dressing and adornment with jewellery like crown and necklaces) and Rajbhog (feast) is offered in the forenoon, Shayan Sewa (shayan means sleep) is offered in the evening." Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab) The published summer timetable fills in the times. Source: Official temple website: darshan timings (opens in a new tab)

1. 7:45 AM (summer)

   The temple opens

   The morning darshan session begins.

2. 7:55 AM (summer)

   Shringar Aarti

   The first aarti of the day, after the deity has been adorned. Shringar means adornment.

3. 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM (summer)

   Bhog

   The food offering. The temple's history calls the forenoon offering the Rajbhog, or feast.

4. 12:00 noon (summer)

   Aarti and closing

   The morning session ends with aarti and the temple closes until the evening.

5. 5:30 PM (summer)

   Evening opening

   The evening darshan session begins.

6. 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM (summer)

   Evening bhog

   The evening food offering.

7. 9:30 PM (summer)

   Aarti and closing

   The day ends with aarti. The temple's history names the evening service the Shayan seva, from shayan, sleep.

Times are from the published summer timetable. Winter times are on our timings page, where they are marked as unconfirmed until the temple publishes its winter table.

Why there is no daily Mangala

Historical record At many temples the day begins with a pre-dawn Mangala service. The temple says it does not have this tradition, and its festival calendar states that Mangla Aarti is performed only on Janmashtami. Source: Official temple history (opens in a new tab); Official temple festival calendar (opens in a new tab)

Religious belief A common devotional explanation links this to Nidhivan, where, the temple's website says, "no living being can stay … overnight". Source: Official temple website: historic visitors (opens in a new tab) Devotees believe the divine couple is present there at night, and that the Lord should not be woken early. Read more about Nidhivan.

The curtain

Historical record The temple 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) See why the curtain is drawn.

Bells

Secondary sources Secondary sources state that bells are not hung inside the temple, so as not to disturb the deity. Source: Wikipedia: Banke Bihari Temple (opens in a new tab) (tertiary) We have not confirmed this from a primary source.

Seasonal changes

Historical record The temple's calendar marks a Phool Bangla season, during which a bower of flowers is built around the deity, from Kamada Ekadashi to Hariyali Amavasya. Source: Official temple festival calendar (opens in a new tab) The daily timetable also shifts between summer and winter. Source: Official temple website: darshan timings (opens in a new tab)

Secondary sources Devotional sources describe the deity's clothing, food and decoration changing with the seasons, with light clothes and sandalwood in summer and warm clothing in winter. We have not documented these details ourselves.