Unknown Facts of Bankey Bihari Temple

Bankey Bihari Temple is one of the most famous temples in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Here, Lord Bankey Bihari is worshipped as the charming, child-like form of Lord Sri Krishna. The Deity is depicted in the Tribhanga posture, with the body bent at three places—neck, waist and knee.

The beautiful black-stone Deity of Bankey Bihari is believed to be Swayambhu, or self-manifested. According to tradition, the Deity was originally worshipped by the saint Swami Haridas as Kunj-Bihari.

Here are some interesting and lesser-known facts about Bankey Bihari Temple.

Bankey Bihari is worshipped as a beloved child. His enchanting appearance and loving nature can easily attract His dear devotees. Therefore, the curtain in front of the Deity is opened and closed frequently during darshan.

Any devotee who prays to Bankey Bihari Ji with pure devotion and faith will find that the Lord follows His dear devotee like an innocent child.

Another popular belief says that continuously gazing at the charming form of Bankey Bihari for a long time can make a devotee become completely absorbed in divine love.

Devotees also believe that being worshipped as a child, the Bankey Bihari is protected from Nazar or the evil eye.

There is an interesting folklore associated how Bankey Bihari follows his devotee

Once Princess from Rajasthan visited Bankey Bihari temple and took the darshan of the Lord with so much of love. The Lord was mesmerized by her devotion and accompanied her to her palace in Rajasthan! The Deity was missing in the temple and eventually search began to find out. After a long search, it was found in the palace of the princess. Since to prevent such further incidents, the curtain system was introduced.

One of the most unusual traditions of the temple is that Mangala Aarti is not performed every morning. According to temple tradition, Bankey Bihari is treated like a beloved child who should not be disturbed early in the morning.

Mangala Aarti is performed only on special occasions, making it a rare and significant darshan for devotees.

The Deity of Bankey Bihari is seen in the distinctive Tribhanga posture, in which the body bends gracefully at three points. This is a characteristic posture associated with Sri Krishna and gives the Deity an exceptionally charming appearance.

Bankey Bihari is revered by devotees as a manifestation representing the combined form of Radha and Krishna. The name Bankey Bihari itself reflects the Lord’s enchanting and playful nature.

The Deity of Bankey Bihari is believed to be Swayambhu, meaning that He manifested Himself rather than being carved by a human sculptor. Tradition associates His appearance with the devotional practices of Swami Haridas in Nidhivan.

Unlike many Hindu temples, the Bankey Bihari Temple does not traditionally have the constant ringing of bells or blowing of conches during darshan. The worship here follows its own unique devotional traditions, reflecting the intimate relationship between the Lord and His devotees.

Lord Krishna is famously associated with the flute. However, the flute is not generally visible with the Bankey Bihari Deity. According to the temple tradition, devotees can have the rare darshan of the Bankey Bihari holding a flute only once a year, on a special occasion.

The lotus feet of Bankey Bihari are usually covered. Devotees receive the rare opportunity to have Charan Darshan on Akshaya Tritiya. This special darshan attracts a large number of devotees to Vrindavan.

Bankey Bihari is lovingly treated as a child. The Lord is traditionally adorned in beautiful clothes and ornaments as part of the daily seva. According to popular belief, the clothes offered to Him are not simply repeated in the same manner, making His daily appearance special for devotees.

One of the most fascinating traditional beliefs associated with Bankey Bihari is that the vigraha feels remarkably soft, like human skin, when touched. This belief is closely connected with the devotion surrounding the Swayambhu Deity and the intimate way in which Bankey Bihari is worshipped as a living child.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Bankey Bihari Temple is the child-like mood of worship. Instead of treating the Lord only as a majestic divine ruler, devotees approach Bankey Bihari with affection, treating Him as their beloved child. This unique devotional tradition is one of the reasons why the temple holds such a special place in the spiritual heritage of Vrindavan.