Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan brings in a free registered slip for VIP protocol darshan
The change came two days after the temple's High Powered Management Committee asked for irregularities in VIP darshan to be addressed, and one committee member has objected to the route used.
- Amar Ujala
The Shri Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan has begun requiring a registered slip for darshan under VIP protocol, Amar Ujala reported. Staff at a counter at Exit Gate 4 register visitors and issue the slip, which is free of charge.
One staff member handles the guests of sevāyat Gosvāmīs, and another handles those who come through the police. Visitors then walk along a dedicated railing to the VIP enclosure and leave by Exit Gate 1.
Committee chairman Ashok Kumar asked at a meeting on Saturday, 31 October, for irregularities in the VIP arrangement to be removed. The slip system began two days later, and the report says it is meant to bring transparency and stop devotees being charged money.
Committee member and temple sevāyat Himanshu Goswami said the arrangement approved by the High Court should be followed. He said entry for VIP darshan through an exit gate is improper.
On Monday evening, about a dozen workers of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Tikait) protested at Gate 4 after being stopped there, which caused difficulty for devotees leaving the temple. Police then took them in by the VIP railing, and Circle Officer Sandeep Singh said the matter was being looked into.
Key data
About 300 devotees came with sevāyats on the first day (about 170 morning, 130 evening), and about 76 through police and the tourism police station (34 morning, about 42 evening), according to a temple employee; 2 registration staff, 2 guards and 4 police at the counter; slip free of charge.
Why it matters
Equal and orderly darshan at one of Braj's most visited shrines concerns every devotee. How the new system fits with the High Court-approved arrangement and with sevāyat traditions will be watched closely.
GK: did you know?
According to temple tradition, the Ṭhākur Bāṅke Bihārī vigraha was revealed by Svāmī Haridās at Nidhivan in Vrindavan.
