Festivals In Banke Bihari Temple
Vrindavan's festival calendar keeps things buzzing in the pastoral township where God came to love and be loved as Sri Radha-Krishna. It's a happening destination round the year. Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul, Mahavan, Govardhan and Deeg resonate with five millennia of history and living culture. Krishna, so tied by bonds of love remains in spirit in Braj-bhoomi's Vrindavan.
It may be the peak of summer, but Vrindavan is as popular a destination as ever.
Fragrant retreat
Summer is a byword for flower bowers or Phool-Bangle in Vrindavan. Banke Bihari, Radha Vallabh, Radha Raman, Rangnath and Iskcon temples are regulars with spectacular floral decoration. It's an effort to keep the heat and dust away from Priya and Priytamji, the deities. Besides it is reminiscent of the real groves or Kunj of yore. Jasmine, rose, gerbera, oleander, marigold, rajnigandha and lotus find artistic placement all around the deity and even in clothes! Sri Radha Krishna's clothes and jewellery are made of flowers and buds, topped with sequins sometimes! Black net or light mulmul fabric support the flowers in their dresses, and intricate necklaces, crowns, armlets and anklets, all made of flowers and leaves again, add to the beauty.
Spring is at the beck and call of Vrindavan Vihari Krishna. Phool Bangle begin on Akshay Teej in May and continue till Savan and beyond. So this is the time to head for Vrindavan! Actually the foral fiesta takes a headstart on Basant Panchmi in spring and wraps up Holi and Rang Panchmi in melodious Rasiya songs, Rasleela, Lathmar Holi, Keech-Holi, Tesu Holi and floral Holi. Janmashtmi, Radha Ashtmi, Sharad Purnima, Jhulan, Annakoot and Kartik are celebrated with gusto. Truly every day in Vrindavan is a celebration.
Historically yours
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his six Goswamis, Swami Haridas, Swami Hit-Harivansh and Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya were responsible for reviving Brajbhoomi about 550 years ago. Akbar, intrigued by the land of Krishna-lore visited Vrindavan. He was an ardent admirer of Swami Haridas, preceptor of Tansen, India's ace musician.
Holi with a difference:
Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan has the idol of Swami Haridas's devotion. Earlier it was housed in Nidhivan, an ancient forest grove on the banks of Yamuna where the Maharaas is said to take place every night even today. Akbar visited Swami Haridas at Nidhivan. Once, Haridas was deep in meditation, experiencing Sri Banke Bihari playing Holi. Akbar approached him, and offered an expensive gift of Irani perfume for the deity's sringar.
When Haridas surfaced from the divine experience of playing Holi with the Lord, he excitedly told Akbar that the offering of perfume was used by the Lord in his Holi gaiety. When Akbar went inside the temple he was greeted by the perfume that he had brought for the deity!
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