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
रंगजी मंदिर
Rangji Temple (Sri Ranganatha)
A South Indian gopuram in the Braj landscape, where Vishnu rests on Ananta and the car festival rolls out every spring.
TempleVrindavanSri Ranganatha (Vishnu reclining on Ananta Shesha) and Godadevi
The story: The deity of Srirangam comes to Braj
The Sri Vaishnava tradition of Ramanuja worships Vishnu as Ranganatha, reclining on the serpent Shesha, with Lakshmi at his feet. Seth Govind Das of Mathura, inspired by his guru Rangacharya, wanted a temple of this tradition in Braj. Artisans from the south came north to build it.
The temple is a reminder that Braj does not only belong to the Radha-Krishna schools. It receives Vaishnavas of every sampradaya. The Mahabharata and Puranas say Krishna himself is Vishnu (see Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3, in which the child Krishna appears first as the four-armed Vishnu).
The Brahmotsava in Chaitra is the highlight: the deity travels in a chariot through the lane, drawn by devotees.
Where this is told
- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3: Krishna appears as four-armed Vishnu before his parents
- Sri Vaishnava tradition: Alvar hymns (Divya Prabandham) for Ranganatha
History
- Built in 1851 by Seth Lakshmi Chand, Seth Radha Krishna and Seth Govind Das of Mathura, by common accounts, under the guidance of Swami Rangacharya.
- Dravidian style with a gopuram, seven enclosures and a tall gold-plated flagpole (dhwaja stambha).
- Non-Hindus may be restricted from the inner sanctum. Check locally.
What to see
- The gopuram and the temple tank
- The dhwaja stambha
- The Brahmotsava procession (Chaitra)
- Ranganatha deity
Key festivals
- Mar to Apr: Brahmotsava, ten days with the car festival
- Dec to Jan: Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Timings and rules
| Summer darshan | About 5:30 am to 11:00 am, and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Winter darshan | About 6:00 am to 11:00 am, and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm |
| Closed | Midday |
| Dress code | Modest. Men may be asked to remove shirts in the inner area, a custom in South Indian temples. Check locally. |
| Photos and phones | Photos of the gopuram are fine. Not in the sanctum. |
Indicative. The temple has its own South Indian ritual timings. Check locally.
Parking and getting there
Parking
On the main road in front of the temple (Mathura-Vrindavan road side).
Charge: Small. Check locally.
Restrictions
- Busy during the Brahmotsava with diversions
Cab drop and walk
Drop: Drop at the front gate.
Walk: 2 minutes.
Town-wide parking and transport rules: Vrindavan guide.
Distances and nearby places
| From Mathura Junction | About 12 km |
|---|---|
| From Banke Bihari, Vrindavan | About 1.2 km |
| From Delhi Airport (IGI) | About 172 km |
Distances and drive times are approximate and vary with traffic and diversions.
Practical tips
Timing and crowds
Best time: Morning, or during Brahmotsava in spring.
Crowds: Quiet except in festival time.
Monkeys: Some.
Comfort
Footwear: At the gate.
Toilets: Yes at the gate.
Accessibility: Mostly flat inside the courtyard.
Scams to avoid
- Few. Be careful with bag handlers
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
Can everyone enter?
The outer areas are open. The inner sanctum may be restricted by the temple. Check locally.
Check locally
- Timings
- Inner-sanctum entry rules
- Photo rule
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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