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 श्यामसुंदर मंदिर
Radha Shyamsundar Temple
The temple of Shyamananda Pandit's deity, whose name comes from a golden anklet Radha was said to have given him.
TempleVrindavanRadha Shyamsundar
The story: The anklet in Nidhivan
Shyamananda Pandit was a Gaudiya devotee who swept the groves of Vrindavan every day. One morning, the story goes, he found a golden anklet. A sakhi appeared and said it belonged to Radha. Shyamananda gave it back, and Radha, pleased, put a tilak mark on his forehead with her own anklet, a mark that his followers still wear. He later found the deity Shyamsundar in Vrindavan.
The story is Gaudiya tradition rather than a Puranic text. Its heart is humble service: you sweep the grove for years, and the Divine comes to the broom.
Where this is told
- Gaudiya tradition (Bhakti-ratnakara) for Shyamananda; no Puranic text
- Background: Srimad Bhagavatam 10.29 to 10.33
History
- The deity is traditionally dated to the late 16th century (about 1578). The temple is in Vrindavan's old town; builder and rebuilding dates are unknown to the sources checked. Check locally.
What to see
- Radha Shyamsundar deities
- Shyamananda's samadhi (check locally)
Key festivals
- Aug to Sep: Radhashtami and Janmashtami
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. Use 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 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 this ISKCON's Radha Shyamsundar?
ISKCON also worships a deity of this name. This is the Gaudiya temple of Shyamananda in the old town. Check locally which one you mean.
Check locally
- Exact location
- Timings
- Builder and year
Last checked: 2026-10-23. Sources for timings, parking and rules:
Radhe Radhe. Walk with love, we will take care of the road.
Book a cab for Radha Shyamsundar Temple