2025.10.11 (Vrindavan Today News): The decision of the High Powered Temple Management Committee to restrict the age-old tradition of Deepdaan (lamp offering) at the Thakur Banke Bihari Temple has stirred discontent among the Goswamis of the temple
For decades, devotees have been offering lamps before Thakur Banke Bihari Maharaj, especially during the sacred month of Kartik, when Deepdaan holds exceptional spiritual significance. The Goswamis, their yajmans, devotees, and local residents have all been participating in this ritual with deep devotion.
However, in a recent meeting held on October 5, the High Powered Temple Management Committee decided to restrict the practice. Citing a past incident where a woman’s saree caught fire, the committee allowed lighting of lamps only inside the temple’s newly half built hall, and that too, limited to just seven lamps. The committee also directed that only 50 grams of oil be used per lamp. The Deepdaan ritual will begin at sunset and conclude before the evening aarti of Thakurji.
This restriction has drawn strong objections from several temple Goswamis, including Ashok Goswami, Rajeevmukut Goswami, Nirdeshbihari Goswami, Ankit Goswami, Rahul Goswami, Anurag Goswami, Bhupendra Goswami, Puneet Goswami, Shashibhushan Goswami, Nayan Goswami, Ritik Goswami, and others. They have submitted a letter to the committee demanding permission to perform Deepdaan at any location within the temple premises during Kartik month, as has been the custom for generations.
Speaking on behalf of the temple’s sewayats, Ashok Goswami stated that the tradition of Deepdaan in Kartik month has continued unbroken for about 159 years. “There has been no incident of fire or accident during the past year, and the committee’s decision to impose restrictions citing an old case is unreasonable,” he said.
He further mentioned that despite there being no legal or administrative order to stop the ritual, the committee has unilaterally enforced the ban, citing judicial and high court arrangements which do not apply to Deepdaan.
The Goswamis have urged that this sacred tradition, integral to the temple’s heritage and devotion, should be restored to its original form, maintaining both faith and safety.
