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Banke Bihari Temple

बांके बिहारी मन्दिर

Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh · 27.5806°, 77.6890°

Krishna as Banke BihariModern (Rajasthani style)Rajasthani haveli
Sacred since
1515 CE
Image revealed to Swami Haridas in Nidhivan, 16th c.
Standing structure
1864 (image far older)
patron: Goswamis of the Haridasi tradition

History & significance

Vrindavan's most beloved shrine, where the thrice-bent (banke) dark image revealed to the musician-saint Swami Haridas — guru of Tansen — is served like a living child. There are no bells; the curtain before the deity is drawn and closed every few minutes, for tradition holds his gaze too potent to receive for long.

Sthala katha — the legend

Radha and Krishna, entranced by Haridas's song in Nidhivan, merged into a single black image at his request — Nidhivan itself remains locked each night, for the raas is said to continue there still, unseen by mortal eyes.

Reaching there

Vrindavan old town; Mathura ~12 km.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Modern (Rajasthani style)