The current incident underscores a recurring challenge: the urgent need for structured management, better coordination among the service holders, and perhaps, reforms to safeguard both the sanctity of religious tradition and the dignity of those who serve it.
2025.07.06 (Vrindavan Today News): A physical altercation broke out among the traditional Goswami servitors at the revered Thakur Banke Bihari Temple on Saturday morning, stemming from a dispute over the sequence and authority of service roles performed within the sanctum sanctorum. The confrontation, which included verbal abuse and allegations of theft and assault, has once again brought to the surface the simmering tensions within the temple’s centuries-old hereditary service system.
According to a formal complaint filed with the temple management, the incident occurred when Rajbhog Seva Adhikari (officer responsible for the late-morning ritual offerings) Chandra Mohan Goswami—accompanied by Sonu Goswami and Chhail Bihari Goswami—allegedly entered the sanctum prior to the conclusion of the Shringar Bhog Seva (early-morning decoration and offering service), which was being conducted by Pradeep Kumar Goswami.
Pradeep Goswami objected to the intrusion, stating that the Rajbhog team had entered the inner sanctum without permission, removing ritual paraphernalia including a sacred silver patra (plate) and items used for the aarati ceremony. The dispute escalated the following day, Saturday morning, when the Rajbhog team reportedly re-entered the sanctum even before the completion of the aarati. Allegedly, they began accepting garlands and offerings from devotees in the Jagmohan (congregational hall), further intensifying tensions.
As per the complaint, the scheduled handover of service duties to Mohit Bhandari at approximately 7:30 AM was obstructed by the Rajbhog Goswamis, who are accused of forcibly pushing and verbally abusing him. Matters worsened when, according to Pradeep Goswami, they attempted to take possession of sacred items, including the deity’s oil lamp and flute. When he intervened, a violent altercation ensued. He alleges that his gold chain was forcibly snatched during the scuffle, and that he and his relatives—including his son and nephew—were physically assaulted and threatened with death.
The temple administration has taken the matter seriously, filing a formal complaint with the local Kotwali police station. In its petition, the management has emphasized the need for security reinforcements at specific transition points between the different sevas (ritual services)—namely, during the handover from Shringar Bhog to Rajbhog Seva. The administration has urged the authorities to deploy sufficient police personnel during these periods to prevent further clashes and ensure the sanctity of the temple is maintained.
Police Chowki (outpost) in-charge Shiv Kumar Sharma confirmed the incident, noting that the conflict arose when one group of servitors began their duties before the prior group had officially concluded theirs. However, he stated that both parties were brought to the outpost and eventually reached a mutual compromise without escalation to formal legal proceedings.
The Banke Bihari Temple, one of the most visited temples in North India, is not new to internal conflicts among its hereditary servitors, who hail from various branches of the Goswami families.
