Radha Bihari Misthan Bhandar (Banke Bihari temple market)
Mathura peda and khoya sweets. The shop's own claim is a sweet shop here since 1965
राधा गोपीनाथ मंदिर
Radha Gopinath Temple
The temple of Gopinath, 'the Lord of the gopis', one of the three great deities of the Goswamis.
TempleVrindavanGopinath ji (replica; original in Jaipur)
The story: Gopinath, found at Vamshivat
Gopinath means 'the lord of the gopis'. The Gaudiya tradition says that Paramananda Bhattacharya found the Gopinath deity at Vamshivat in Vrindavan, and that Madhu Pandit Goswami, a disciple of Gadadhar Pandit, installed and served him. Gopinath is one of the three deities (with Madan Mohan and Govind Dev) for whom Rupa and Sanatana's teaching is known as the three paths of relationship, goal and means.
Vamshivat is the banyan where Krishna played his flute to call the gopis to the Rasa (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.29). The Gopinath deity is said to have been revealed near that tree. Like Govind Dev, the original deity was moved to Jaipur during the unrest of the 17th and 18th centuries; a replica is worshipped here.
Where this is told
- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.29: Krishna's flute at the start of the Rasa
- Chaitanya Charitamrita on the three deities
- The finding at Vamshivat is Gaudiya tradition
History
- The present temple is largely of the 19th century. The original deity is in Jaipur. Builder and date: check locally.
What to see
- The replica Gopinath deity
- Madhu Pandit's samadhi (check locally)
- Vamshivat nearby
Key festivals
- Aug to Sep: Janmashtami
- Feb to Mar: Holi
Timings and rules
| Summer darshan | Daylight hours. Check locally |
|---|---|
| Winter darshan | Daylight hours. Check locally |
| Closed | Check locally |
| Dress code | Modest clothing; shoulders and knees covered. |
| Photos and phones | Not inside any sanctum. Check locally for the rest. |
No reliable published timings were found. Check locally.
Parking and getting there
Parking
Old town lanes. Park at the town lot and walk.
Charge: Small. Check locally.
Restrictions
- No special rule found. Festival days bring diversions. Check locally
Cab drop and walk
Drop: Near the Banke Bihari approach.
Walk: 10 to 15 minutes.
Town-wide parking and transport rules: Vrindavan guide.
Distances and nearby places
| From Mathura Junction | About 13 km |
|---|---|
| From Banke Bihari, Vrindavan | About 1.5 km |
| From Delhi Airport (IGI) | About 175 km |
Distances and drive times are approximate and vary with traffic and diversions.
Practical tips
Timing and crowds
Best time: Morning.
Crowds: Usually light. Heavier on festival days.
Monkeys: Possible. Keep spectacles, phones and food out of sight.
Comfort
Footwear: Leave shoes at the gate or with your driver.
Toilets: Limited. Use facilities before you arrive.
Accessibility: Uneven ground and steps are likely. Check locally.
Scams to avoid
- Touts who offer a 'special' puja or darshan for a fee
Where to eat nearby
Lakshman Prasad Kachori Wale (Banke Bihari area)
Khasta bedai and kachori with aloo sabzi, from a generations-old stall
Agarwal Mithai Wale (near the police chowki at Banke Bihari)
Urad-dal kachori in desi ghee, potato-pumpkin sabzi, fresh curd
Purohit Ji's kachori (Banke Bihari gali)
Kachori; one source gives Rs 25 each, which may be stale
Stalls on the lanes to Banke Bihari (Loi Bazaar)
Hot jalebi, peda, chaat, rabri, kulfi. Liveliest in winter evenings
This list comes from desk research in published guides and listings. We have not visited these places for this guide. Walk and drive times are rough, and opening hours, prices and onion/garlic policy can change, so check locally before you go.
Common questions
Is the original Gopinath here?
No. The original is in Jaipur. A replica is worshipped here.
Check locally
- Timings
- Builder and year
- Parking
Last checked: 2026-10-23. Sources for timings, parking and rules:
Radhe Radhe. Walk with love, we will take care of the road.
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