Significance of Bankey Bihari Temple
Shri Swami Haridas was once blessed and hence ‘Kunj Bihari ji’ appeared in Nidhivan. The deity of ‘Kunj Bihariji’ was hence transferred to newly constructed temple in 1864 with the contribution of Goswamis and further named as Bankey Bihari Lal.
It is the second most ancient and famous temple of Vrindavan. As Lord Krishna is known as Bankey Bihari as the word Bankey means the tribhang posture as “bent in three places” and Bihari means “supreme enjoyer”.
Features of Bankey Bihari Temple :-
The temple is constructed in white marble with stairs at entrance which is cleaned before and after the temple closes. Inside the temple there is garb grah where Sri Bankey Bihari sri vigrah is worshipped along with gaddi sevaji.
There is a beautiful Kamdhenu a cow along with calf statue in the temple on a marble pedestal people go around performing parikrama of it.
History of Bankey Bihari Temple :-
Swami Haridas played pious holy music and enjoyed eternal bliss by meditating of Sri Krishna in the dense forest which is now known as Nidhivan. He constantly and continuously meditated on Nitya Ras and Nitya Bihar of Lord at Nitya Vrindavan.
His way of Sadhna was to compose and sing songs in the praise of Lord. One day by the grace of Shri Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu He found the Sri Vigrah of Sri RadhaKrishna in combined form and worshipped them as Kunj Bihari.
About Bankey Bihari Temple :-
The sewa of the Bihariji is unique they perform three parts every day ie Shringar, Rajbhog and Shayan.
While shringar (which includes bath, dressing and adornment with jewellery like crown and necklaces) and Rajbhog(feast) is offered in the forenoon, Shayan Sewa (shayan means sleep) is offered in the evening. The temple doesn’t have a tradition of Mangala (early morning) sewa. Only on Akshay tritya the mangala aarti is performed.