Photo spot in Mathura
Banke Bihari Temple
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Vrindavan's most beloved and joyous temple, where the curtain before the deity is drawn and closed in rhythmic 'jhaki' glimpses.
Best time
Early morning at opening, before the lane fills; early evening, when the lamps and flower stalls in the old lane are lit.
Best angle
Stand a few metres back at the mouth of the lane and take a photo of the temple gate with the flower sellers and pilgrims in front, and keep the camera away inside.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
7:45 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM (varies)
Crowd level
High
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Banke Bihari Temple
Early morning at opening, before the lane fills; early evening, when the lamps and flower stalls in the old lane are lit. Crowds here are typically high. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Banke Bihari Temple
Stand a few metres back at the mouth of the lane and take a photo of the temple gate with the flower sellers and pilgrims in front, and keep the camera away inside. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
In the temple lane
At the decorated entrance
Outfit guide
What to wear at Banke Bihari Temple
For photos at Banke Bihari Temple, yellow, saffron and pink work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for Banke Bihari Temple.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Mathura.
Eat nearby
Food near Banke Bihari Temple
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for vrindavan lassi nearby.
Special dishes to try
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
Put your glasses and phone in a zipped inside pocket before you turn into the lane, because monkeys grab them.
If a monkey takes something, buy a juice pack from a nearby seller to trade rather than chasing it.
Go at the morning opening on a weekday for the calmest darshan.
Leave shoes at a counter in the lane and remember its number, as the lanes all look alike.
Hold small children firmly and keep a meeting point, because the crowd moves as one.
Ignore anyone selling a special or faster-darshan in the lane, since entry is free.
Do not try to photograph the deity; watch for the curtain to open instead.
Swami Haridas's Krishna
Banke Bihari is the most loved temple in Vrindavan. The deity was first worshipped by the saint-musician Swami Haridas in the grove of Nidhivan, where he was known as Kunj Bihari. His followers renamed him Banke Bihari for his pose, bent in three places. The present temple, in Rajasthani style, was built around 1862 to 1864.
The curtain
Darshan here is unlike other temples. The deity is treated as a child, so a curtain is pulled across every few minutes and then opened again. The belief is that a long, unbroken look could make him follow a devotee home. There are no bells in the temple, so as not to disturb him. You get glimpses, not a long view.
Days that are different
The mangala aarti, held before dawn in most Krishna temples, takes place here only once a year, on Janmashtami. On Sharad Purnima the deity holds a flute. Through the monsoon month of Shravan he sits on a swing. At Holi, priests shower devotees with flower petals.
The crush
The temple sits at the end of narrow lanes, and the crowd inside can be severe. The temple warns of heavy rush on Ekadashi, full-moon and new-moon days, weekends, holidays, festivals and from 20 December to 5 January. It advises elderly visitors, pregnant women and families with small children to avoid those days.
Timings
The temple keeps longer evening hours in summer and shifts its sessions in winter, roughly from November to February. It closes in the middle of the day. Check the current times on the temple's own site before you go.
Questions
Banke Bihari Temple — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Banke Bihari Temple?
Early morning at opening, before the lane fills; early evening, when the lamps and flower stalls in the old lane are lit. Stand a few metres back at the mouth of the lane and take a photo of the temple gate with the flower sellers and pilgrims in front, and keep the camera away inside.
Is there an entry fee at Banke Bihari Temple?
Entry to Banke Bihari Temple is free.
What are the opening hours of Banke Bihari Temple?
Banke Bihari Temple is open 7:45 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM (varies).
What should I wear at Banke Bihari Temple?
Yellow, saffron and pink photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Banke Bihari Temple get?
Crowd levels are typically high. To miss the busiest window: early morning at opening, before the lane fills; early evening, when the lamps and flower stalls in the old lane are lit.
What food should I try near Banke Bihari Temple?
Try vrindavan lassi at spots close by.
Why does the curtain keep closing at Banke Bihari?
The deity is worshipped as a child. Tradition holds that an unbroken gaze could draw him away with a devotee, so the curtain opens and closes every few minutes.
When does the deity hold a flute?
Once a year, on Sharad Purnima, the autumn full moon. It is one of the most crowded days of the year at the temple.
Is it safe for elderly people and small children?
On peak days the temple itself advises them to stay away. Choose a weekday morning, avoid festivals and holidays, and keep children close.
What is Nidhivan, and is it linked to the temple?
Nidhivan is the grove nearby where Swami Haridas first worshipped the deity. It is a short walk away and is traditionally shut to visitors after dusk.