The management committee of Shri Banke Bihari Temple has now strictly banned throwing pedas, flower garlands and tulsi malas at the deities in the temple. The ban will be displayed at the temple gates and premises. Here’s why the temple authorities took this decision and what you should know.
Banke Bihari Temple Bans Throwing Offerings At Deities
Shri Banke Bihari Temple, located in Vrindavan in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, is dedicated to Lord Krishna in the form of Banke Bihari Ji, which represents the combined form of Lord Krishna and Radha. The temple attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees every day, resulting in heavy rush and overcrowding on the premises. Due to this, devotees standing at the back would toss or throw garlands and pedas towards the inner sanctum to make sure their offerings reached the deity.
Even during festivals like Raksha Bandhan, some people would tie rakhis to pedas and throw them, too. However, this tradition will now be strictly banned. According to The Times of India, the temple’s high-powered management committee took this decision over hygiene concerns and the disrespect shown to sacred offerings that fall on the floor and get trampled.
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New Rules To Ensure Cleanliness & Respect
According to The Times of India, items like pedas, flower garlands and tulsi malas would bounce back and fall on the floor. This made the floors sticky and unclean. Plus, holy items like tulsi and pedas were getting under people’s feet, which is considered highly disrespectful. The new rule also ensures that priests receive prasad and garlands in a more organised, clean and respectful manner rather than having them tossed towards the deities.
Notices announcing the ban will be displayed at the temple gates and outside the premises. This will ensure that devotees visiting Shri Banke Bihari Temple know the rules beforehand. Apart from this, the temple committee is also planning to install a central air-conditioning system at the temple. Food sampling is also being intensified to maintain the quality of offerings sold around the temple.
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Have you ever visited Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan? How was your experience?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Mishra12krati and Aman Kumar
FAQs
Where is Shri Banke Bihari Temple?
Shri Banke Bihari Temple is located in Vrindavan, in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.
Who is Shri Banke Bihari Temple dedicated to?
The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna in the form of Banke Bihari Ji.
What prasad do you get at Banke Bihari Temple?
At the Shri Banke Bihari Temple, the prasad offerings revolve around things loved by the child form of Lord Krishna like Makhan Mishri, Milk Peda, and other seasonal offerings.
