In short
- Date: Monday 14 December 2026.
- Banke Bihari is said to have appeared to Swami Haridas at Nidhivan.
- A procession goes from Nidhivan to the Banke Bihari temple.
- Expect some of the heaviest crowds of the year.
How Banke Bihari appeared
Swami Haridas, the sixteenth century saint-musician of Vrindavan and the teacher remembered as guru of Tansen, sang to Radha and Krishna in the groves of Nidhivan. On this Panchami, the tradition holds, the divine couple appeared before him in a single form, Banke Bihari, the deity now worshipped in the Banke Bihari temple.
Banke means bent, for the graceful three-fold bend of his stance; Bihari, the one who delights in play.
What happens in Vrindavan
The celebration begins at Nidhivan, the place of appearance, with kirtan and a procession towards the temple. Bhog and darshan at the temple go on through the day. The town is at its fullest, and police often change traffic and entry arrangements around the lanes.
If you are going
- Arrive the day before and stay within walking distance
- Leave vehicles outside the town and walk or take an e-rickshaw
- Carry little, and keep children and elders close in the crowd
- Check the temple's own announcements for darshan arrangements; this site does not publish timings
For the journey, see how to reach Vrindavan, and for the town the 2-day Vrindavan plan.
The heart of it
Whatever the festival, the practice he teaches stays the same: the name. See how to start naam jap or keep count with the naam jap counter.
Dates and sources
| Day | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Utpanna Ekadashi | Fri 4 December |
| Vivah Panchami and Vihar Panchami | Mon 14 December |
| Mokshada Ekadashi and Gita Jayanti (some panchangs: Sun 20) | Sat 19 December |
Dates are as published by panchang sources for New Delhi. Tithi times shift by city, and traditions differ when a tithi spans two days, so confirm with your local panchang or temple.
Sources consulted: Bhakti Bharat, Hindu Blog.
Things devotees often ask about
Brass Akhand Diya
A brass diya with a deep oil well, made to burn long, for the evening lamp of Kartik.
Brass Lotus Diya, Set of 2
Two small lotus-shaped brass diyas for the home mandir, for daily aarti or deep daan.
Tulsi Japa Mala, 108 Beads
A plain tulsi mala with 7 mm beads, the size most people find comfortable for daily japa.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases; your price does not change. None of this is needed for the practice, and none of it is connected with Maharaj Ji or the ashram. See all items
This is a fan website, not the official site of Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj. The article summarises what he teaches in public satsang; it does not quote him. If something here is wrong, tell us and it is corrected the same week.
