The idols inside the Banke Bihari temple are believed to have been given to Swami Haridas (singer Tansen's guru) by Radhe Krishna himself. The story goes that Haridas used to sing praises of the Lord in a deserted forest area near Vrindavan (now called Nidhivan). One day, his inquisitive disciples took permission to enter the area, but they were blinded by the bright light there. Haridas requested the divine couple Radhe-Krishna to give him darshan. The couple appeared and with their brilliance turned the disciples to stone. Haridas then requested him to take the same form and he changed into the same black idol, which is now visible in the temple as Shri Banke Bihari. Still, looking into Bihari ji's eyes for a long time can cause one to lose consciousness, so every few minutes the curtain of the temple is pulled.
In Tribhanga there are three turns in the body; At the neck, waist and knees, therefore the body is conversely curved at the waist and neck giving it a gentle "S" shape and is considered the most beautiful and sensual of the Odissi positions.

The idol of Shri Krishna in the temple stands in Tribhanga Mudra (tilted at three places). A graceful and sensual body position—used in Odissi dance—in which the body is contralaterally curved at the neck, waist and knees, giving it a gentle 'S' shape. Krishna is often depicted in this posture. Swami Haridas originally worshiped this devotional image by the name of Kunj-Bihari of Vrindavan.
 

Seva and worship
The temple opens at 9 am and closes at 1 pm. Again it is opened at 5 PM and closed at 9 PM after Shayan Aarti.

Shringar Aarti at 8 am, Raj Bhog Aarti at 12 noon, Shayan Aarti at 9.30 pm.
Mangal Charan is performed only once in a year on Janmashtami. The lotus feet of the deity are seen on Akshaya Tritiya, which is the third day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakh (April-May). On this day the Lord is adorned with sandalwood paste. On the day of Sharad Purnima, Lord is seen carrying a flute. This is a special vision.

Utsav
Amalaki Ekadashi, Krishna Paksha, Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Putrada Ekadashi is one of the major annual festivals of Shri Banke Bihari Temple.
 
Hariyali Teej, a monsoon festival when the idols of Banke Bihari and Radha Ratu are placed on special swings of gold and silver and called Phool Bangla Carousel festival. Starting from Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi, it is celebrated till Hariyali Amavasya. A palace of flowers is built in the temple. Their clothes are also made of flowers during this festival.

Best time to visit: All year round

Interesting fact
There are seven important Gaudiya (Vaishnava) temples that are worshiped by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's disciples: Radha Govind, Radha Gopinath, Radha Raman, Radha Gokulananda, Radha Damodar, Radha Shyamsundara, Radha Madanamohan.

Nearby Places
Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan and Mathura