Archive · 15 Dec 2025
SC Criticizes Banke Bihari Temple Timing Changes
The Supreme Court is looking into a dispute about the timings for visiting the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan.
The temple priests, who come from the Goswami community, are upset because the temple's management has changed the times when people can see the deity.
The priests say these changes disrupt important religious practices and don't let the deity rest.
The court has asked for more information and will hear the case again in January.
The court also noted that the changes seem to allow some people to pay for special access, which might not be fair.
Earlier, the court had set up a committee to oversee the temple's daily activities.
The court is concerned that the deity is not being allowed to rest and that special pujas are being conducted for wealthy individuals during the deity's rest time.
Supreme Court issued notice on a plea regarding changed darshan timings at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan.
Goswami community, who are the temple priests, argue that the new timings disrupt traditional religious practices and don't allow the deity to rest.
The court observed that the changes seem to exploit the deity and facilitate privileged darshan for those who pay hefty money, including special pujas during rest hours.
The matter is listed for hearing in the first week of January 2026, with notice issued to state and district officials and the temple's management committee.
Earlier, the court had constituted a 14-member high-powered committee to oversee the temple's day-to-day functioning.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Goswami community, temple management committee
- What
- Hearing on plea regarding change in darshan timings and special pujas at Banke Bihari Temple
- When
- Monday afternoon, next hearing in January first week, 2026
- Where
- Supreme Court, Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- To address the disruption of traditional religious practices and timing changes, and the practice of special pujas during rest hours
- Temple
- Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
- Location
- Uttar Pradesh, India
- Petitioners
- Goswami community (temple priests)
- Issue
- Change in darshan timings and special pujas during rest hours
- Court Observation
- Deity not allowed to rest, exploitation of timings for special pujas
- Next Hearing
- January first week, 2026
- Committee
- 14-member Temple Management Committee headed by former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Ashok Kumar
Sources
'They Don't Allow Deity To Rest...': Supreme Court On Banke Bihari Timing Row
SC expresses unhappiness over ‘special pujas’ for affluent disrupting resting time of deity
‘They exploit the deity like anything’: SC criticises ‘special pujas’ for the rich at Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari temple
Varanasi court not to issue any order on Gyanvapi case complying with SC order
'Deities Not Allowed To Rest': Top Court On Special Pujas For The Rich
Exploiting Deity; Affluent Allowed Special Pujas: Supreme Court On Banke Bihari Temple Darshan Timings
