Banke Bihari Temple

Last updated

Banke Bihari Temple
Kunj Bihari Temple
Banke Bihari Vrindavan.jpg
Banke Bihari, a combined form of Radha Krishna at Banke-Bihari temple, Vrindavan
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Mathura
Deity Banke Bihari (Radha and Krishna)
Festivals Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Holi, Sharad Purnima, Karthik Purnima
Location
Location Vrindavan
State Uttar Pradesh
Country India
India Uttar Pradesh location map.svg
Om symbol.svg
Location in Uttar Pradesh
Geographic coordinates 27°34′47″N77°41′26″E / 27.57976°N 77.69051°E / 27.57976; 77.69051
Architecture
Type Rajasthani
Completed1862 [1]
Elevation169.77 m (557 ft)
Website
bankeybihari.info
bihariji.org

Banke Bihari Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the town of Vrindavan, Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Banke Bihari who is believed to be the combined form of Radha and Krishna. Banke Bihari was originally worshipped at Nidhivan, Vrindavan. Later, when Banke Bihari temple was constructed around 1864, the idol of Banke Bihari was moved to its present temple. [2] [3]

Contents

In Banke Bihari temple, the icon of Radha Krishna's united form stands in the Tribhanga posture. Swami Haridas originally worshipped this murti under the name of Kunj Bihari which means the one who enjoys in the groves or Kunj of Vrindavan. [4]

History

Devotees at Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan Banke-Bihari-Mandir-Vrindavan.jpg
Devotees at Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan

The idol of Banke Bihari is believed to be the combined form of the divine couple Radha Krishna. The idol was manifested by Vrindavan musician and saint Swami Haridas who was believed to be the incarnation of Lalita gopi, a close associate of Radha Krishna in their celestial abode Goloka. [5] Swami Haridas was the guru of the famous singer Tansen.

According to the popular belief, once on the request of his disciples, Swami Haridas sang the following verse in Nidhivan in the praise of divine couple Shyama Shyam (Radha Krishna).

Mai ri sahaj jori pragat bhai ju,
Rang ki gaur shyam ghan damini jaisen,
Pratham hun ahuti ab hun aagen hun,
Rahihai na tarihai taisain,
Ang ang ki ujraii sugharaii,
Chaturai sunderta aisain,
Shri Haridas ke swami shyama,
Kunj bihari sam vais vaisain

Swami Haridas

On listening the verse, the celestial couple Shyama-Shyam (Radha Krishna) appeared in front of him and at the request of Swami Haridas, the divine couple merged into one and the stone image of Banke Bihari appeared in front of him. The idol was named Kunj Bihari or Banke Bihari by Swami Haridas and later the same idol was shifted from Nidhivan to Banke Bihari temple, Vrindavan. [5]

In scriptures

Krishna upholding the Govardhan mountain in the Tribhanga pose Govardhana-Mola-Ram1.jpg
Krishna upholding the Govardhan mountain in the Tribhanga pose

'Bānke' means 'bent', and 'Bihāri' or 'Vihāri' means 'enjoyer'. This is how Kṛiṣhṇa, who is bent in three places, got the name "Bānke Bihāri". According to Śrī Brahma-saḿhitā (verse 5.31), Brahma says the following about Kṛishna

"I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, round whose neck is swinging a garland of flowers beautified with the moon-locket, whose two hands are adorned with the flute and jewelled ornaments, who always revels in pastimes of love, whose graceful threefold-bending form of Śyāmasundara is eternally manifest." [6] [7]

Rituals

Worship of Radha Krishna Banke bihari (54).JPG
Worship of Radha Krishna

In Banke Bihari temple, Banke Bihari is worshiped in the form of a small child. Thus, no early morning aarti is performed and no bells are hanged anywhere inside the temple premises as it may create the disturbance to Banke Bihari. Only on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, mangala aarti (early morning aarti) is performed. Curtains are drawn closed repeatedly in every five minutes to avoid the uninterrupted darshan of Banke Bihari as according to the popular belief if darshans are not interrupted, Banke bihari may accompany devotees to their homes, leaving temple empty. Only once a year, Banke Bihari holds the flute in his hands which is on the occasion of Sharad Purnima. [8] [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha</span> Hindu goddess of love and chief consort of the god Krishna

Radha, also called Radhika, is a Hindu goddess and the chief consort of the god Krishna. She is the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion, and devotion. In scriptures, Radha is mentioned as the avatar of Lakshmi and also as the Mūlaprakriti, the Supreme goddess, who is the feminine counterpart and internal potency of Krishna. Radha accompanies Krishna in all his incarnations. Radha's birthday is celebrated every year on the occasion of Radhashtami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vrindavan</span> City in Uttar Pradesh, India

Vrindavan, also spelt Vrindaban and Brindaban, is a historical city in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located in the Braj Bhoomi region and holds religious importance in Hinduism as it is believed in Hinduism that Krishna spent most of his childhood days in this city. Vrindavan has about 5,500 temples dedicated to the worship of Krishna and his chief consort Radha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swami Haridas</span> Vrindavan Saint, musician and poet, linked to Bhakti Movement

Swami Haridas (1480—1573) was an Indian spiritual poet and classical musician. Credited with a large body of devotional compositions, especially in the Dhrupad style, he is also the founder of the Haridasi school of mysticism, still found today in North India. His work influenced both the classical music and the Bhakti movements of North India, especially those devoted to Krishna's consort Radha. Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu, Hariram Vyas, Rupa Goswami, Vidyapati, Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, Vitthalnath (Gusainji), were his contemporaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Vallabha Sampradaya</span> Hindu tradition that reveres goddess Radha as the Supreme being

The Radha Vallabha Sampradaya is a Vaishnava Hindu denomination which began in 1535 at Vrindavan with the bhakti sant Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu (1502–1552). Harivansh's views are related to Krishnaism, but emphasises devotion to the goddess Radha as the Supreme Being.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mathura district</span> District of Uttar Pradesh in India

Mathura district situated along the banks of the river Yamuna is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of north-central India. The historic city of Mathura is the district headquarters. Mathura district is home to many important sites associated with goddess Radha and Krishna, who is believed to be born in Mathura and grew up in the nearby town of Vrindavan. Both cities are some of the most sacred sites in the Vaishnava tradition, making Mathura district an important Hindu pilgrimage centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Krishna</span> Divine couple in Hinduism

Radha-Krishna is the combined form of the Hindu god Krishna with his chief consort and shakti Radha. They are regarded as the feminine as well as the masculine realities of God, in several Krishnaite traditions of Vaishnavism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goloka</span> Celestial abode of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna

Goloka or Goloka Vrindavan is the celestial abode of the Hindu god Krishna and his chief consort goddess Radha. In the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna is portrayed as the highest person who resides in Goloka. Goloka is often represented as the celestial realm containing flowing streams and lovely gardens, and is inhabited by cows and enchanting maidens - Gopis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hindu pilgrimage sites in India</span>

In Hinduism, the yatra (pilgrimage) to the tirthas has special significance for earning the punya needed to attain the moksha (salvation) by performing the darśana, the parikrama (circumambulation), the yajna, the Dhyana, the puja (worship), the prarthana, the dakshina, the seva, the bhandara, etc. These sacred places are usually located on the banks of sacred waters, such as sacred rivers or their tributaries, the kundas, the ghats, or the stepwells, or the temple tanks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nimbarka Sampradaya</span> One of the four Vaiṣṇava Sampradāyas

The Nimbarka Sampradaya, also known as the Kumāra Sampradāya, Hamsa Sampradāya, and Sanakādi Sampradāya, is one of the four Vaiṣṇava Sampradāyas. It was founded by Nimbarka, a Telugu Brahmin yogi and philosopher. It propounds the Vaishnava Bhedabheda theology of Dvaitadvaita (dvaita-advaita) or dualistic non-dualism. Dvaitadvaita states that humans are both different and non-different from Isvara, God or Supreme Being. Specifically, this Sampradaya is a part of Krishnaism—Krishna-centric traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan</span> Iskcon Vrindavan

ISKCON Vrindavan, also called Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, is one of the major ISKCON temples in the world. It is a Gaudiya Vaishnava temple located in the city of Vrindavan, Mathura district, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu gods Krishna and Balarama. The other deities of temple are Radha Krishna and Gauranga Nityananda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Raman Temple, Vrindavan</span> Hindu temple dedicated to combined form of Radha Krishna in Vrindavan

Sri Radha Raman Temple, is a Hindu temple situated in Vrindavan, India. It is dedicated to Krishna who is worshiped as Radha Ramana. This temple is counted as one of the Seven most revered ancient temples of Vrindavan along with Radha Vallabh Temple, Radha Damodar Temple, Radha Madanmohan Temple, Radha Govindji Temple, Radha Shyamsundar Temple and Radha Gokulnandan Temple. The temple houses the original Shaligram deity of Krishna alongside goddess Radha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jhulan Purnima</span> Popular Vaishnavite festival

Jhulan Purnima,Jhulan Yatra or Hindola is a Hindu swinging festival that is dedicated to Hindu god Krishna and goddess Radha. It is popularly celebrated by the Hindu Vaishnava sect in the month of Shravana (July-August) which falls under the monsoon season in India when the weather is hot, humid and slightly breezy. This festival is known for its display of decorated swings, songs and dance. It is a joyful festival which celebrates the amour of divine couple Radha and Krishna along with the romantic fervor of the rainy season in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura</span> Radha Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Shri Dwarkadhish Temple is a Hindu temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. In this historic temple, Krishna is worshipped in his Dwarkanath or Dwarkadhish form along with his feminine counterpart goddess Radha in form of Radharani. The temple belongs to Pushtimarg tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Rani Temple</span> Hindu temple dedicated to Radha Krishna in Barsana

Shri Radha Rani Temple, is a historical Hindu temple, located in Barsana in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Radha. The main deities of the temple are Radha Krishna who are worshipped together in the form of Shri Laadli Lal which means beloved daughter and son of the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Krishna Vivah Sthali, Bhandirvan</span> The place of Radha Krishnas marriage

Radha Krishna Vivah Sthali is a Hindu temple dedicated to Radha and Krishna. The temple site is present in the Bhandirvan forest of Mant constituency in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The site holds cultural importance as according to Sanskrit scriptures - Braham Vaivarta Purana and Garga Samhita, Radha and Krishna were married in Bhandirvan forest in the presence of Brahma, the creator, who also became the priest and solemnized their wedding ceremony. Annually, this divine wedding is celebrated on the occasion of Phulera Dooj which usually falls in the month of February - March.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan</span> Hindu temple dedicated to Radha Krishna in Vrindavan

Shri Radha Madan Mohan Temple, is a Hindu temple situated in Vrindavan of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the oldest and highly revered temple of Vrindavan. The presiding deity of the temple is Madan Mohan, a form of the god Krishna who is present in the central altar of the temple with his consort goddess Radha and Lalita gopi on either sides of him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Damodar Temple, Vrindavan</span> Hindu Temple dedicated to Radha Krishna in Vrindavan

Shri Radha Damodar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu deities Radha and Krishna. The temple is situated in Vrindavan of Indian state Uttar Pradesh. In the temple, Krishna is worshiped in the form of Damodar with his consort Radha. It is one of the main seven Goswami temples of Vrindavan. The temple belongs to Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition and was founded by Jiva Goswami in 1542 CE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Vallabh Temple, Vrindavan</span> Hindu temple dedicated to Radha Krishna in Vrindavan, India

Shri Radha Vallabh Temple, also called Shri Radha Vallabhlal ji Temple is a historic temple in the city of Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Hindu deities Radha Krishna. The temple belongs to Radha Vallabh Sampradaya and was constructed in 16th century under the guidance of Vrindavan saint Hith Harivansha Mahaprabhu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nidhivan, Vrindavan</span> Sacred forest site dedicated to Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan, India

Nidhivan, is one of the sacred sites of Vrindavan, situated in the Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is considered as the most prominent site dedicated to the pastimes of the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna and their cowherd companions, the Gopikas. It is a common belief among devotees that Nidhivan still witnesses the rasa-lila (dance) of Radha and Krishna during the night and thus, to protect the forest's sanctity, Nidhivan is closed with barricades during the night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashtasakhi</span> Group of eight closest companions of Radha-Krishna

The Ashtasakhi are a group of eight prominent gopis and close associates of the Hindu deities Radha-Krishna in the Braj region. In many sub-traditions of Krishnaism, they are revered as goddesses and consorts of Krishna. According to the Padma Purana, the Ashtasakhi are the eternal female companions of Radha-Krishna in the Dvapara Yuga, with whom they descended upon the earth from their celestial abode of Goloka.

References

  1. Glory project of Bihar, ISKCON PATNA, developed by Mahesh K Sanatan. "Temple History & Bihari Ji Appearance in Nidhivan - Shri Shri Banke Bihari, Vrindavan Dham". www.bankeybihari.info. Retrieved 9 June 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Visit Banke Bihari Temple" . Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  3. Rājaśekhara Dāsa (2000). The Color Guide to Vṛndāvana: India's Most Holy City of Over 5,000 Temples. Vedanta Vision Publication.
  4. "Shri Banke Bihari | District Mathura, Government of Uttar Pradesh | India" . Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Shri Banke Bihari ji Temple Vrindavan - site". bihariji.org.
  6. pnd (1 January 2012). "Bs 5.31". www.vedabase.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  7. Brahma Samhita (in Sanskrit).
  8. Inspired, Be (2 October 2022). "Essential Guide to Banke Bihari Temple Vrindavan 2022" . Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  9. Bansal, Sunita Pant (2008). Hindu Pilgrimage. Pustak Mahal. ISBN   978-81-223-0997-3.
 Banke Bihari Meaning-theagranews.com