Banke Bihari Temple

Banke Bihari Temple is one of Vrindavan's most beloved Krishna temples, established in 1864 by Swami Haridas of the Nimbarka tradition. The presiding deity is a dark-complexioned form of Lord Krishna in the tribhanga (triple-bend) posture, radiating a childlike, playful energy. The temple is famous for its unique parda tradition where the curtain before the deity is intermittently drawn and opened throughout the day, since prolonged eye contact with the deity is believed to overwhelm devotees. Unlike most Hindu temples, no bells, conch shells, or aarti lamps are used here. The narrow lanes leading to the temple are perpetually alive with devotional energy, and the atmosphere during Janmashtami, when the temple stays open through the night, is extraordinary.