About Shri Banke Bihari Temple:
- It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in the holy city of Vrindavan in the Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh.
- ‘Banke’ means bent, and ‘Bihari’ refers to Vihari, or enjoyer.
- In this temple, the principal deity stands in the ‘tribhanga’ posture, which is tilted at three angles. Hence, Lord Krishna, who is bent at three places, got the name “Banke”.
- It was established by Swami Haridas, a guru of the famous singer Tansen.
- The present temple complex housing ‘Banke Bihari’ was constructed in 1864 and is a unique example of Indian craftsmanship.
- Architecture of the temple is influenced by the Rajasthani style, with arches and pillars adding to its magnificence.
- In this temple, from the walls to the ceiling, the pictures of the deities have been painted through oil paintings.
- One unique feature of the Banke Bihari temple is that there are no bells or conchs on the premises.
- In the freedom struggle, this temple was the main center of revolutionary activities; from here, the revolutionary newspaper “Bundelkhand Kesari” was published secretly.
