Banke Bihari Temple

Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan is the most famous Krishna temple in the Braj region, established in 1864 by Swami Haridas, the guru of the legendary musician Tansen. The deity depicts Krishna in his Tribhanga posture (bent in three places), playing the flute. Uniquely, the temple curtain (jhulta parda) before the deity is opened and closed repeatedly every few minutes because it is believed the deity's gaze is so powerful that devotees would be mesmerized. During Holi, the temple celebrations are legendary with thousands playing colors in the temple courtyard.