High-Powered Management Committee Restricts Entry into Jagmohan
The dispute reflects deeper tensions between traditional religious rights and modern administrative interventions aimed at managing large crowds. With the peak pilgrimage season approaching, both sides face rising pressure to resolve the issue.
Vrindavan, November 22, 2025 (VT Correspondent):
The long-standing tradition of Dehri Pujan at the famous Banke Bihari Temple came to an abrupt halt on Saturday after the High-Powered Management Committee, constituted under orders of the Supreme Court, enforced new crowd-control measures. For the first time, priests and their patrons were barred from entering the Jagmohan (the raised platform before the sanctum) where the ritual is traditionally performed. The gate leading to the Jagmohan was closed, and no one was permitted to ascend the platform.
The decision triggered strong opposition from the temple’s sevyats (hereditary priests), two of whom are members of the management committee itself. They argued that the committee’s responsibility is to streamline temple operations, not restrict core religious practices. According to the priests, Dehri Pujan is a deeply rooted ritual and blocking it amounts to interference in the temple’s spiritual traditions.
First Day of Restrictions Witnesses Unrest
On Saturday morning, around 8:45 AM, when priests arrived with their patrons to perform Dehri Pujan, they were stopped at the barricaded Jagmohan entry. Heated protests followed, lasting nearly 20 minutes, after which the priests headed to Mathura to meet the District Magistrate. The DM assured them that no harm would come to their rights and that their grievances would be given due consideration.
Meanwhile, crowd management inside the temple deteriorated. With the Jagmohan sealed and the VIP enclosure expanded nearly fivefold, devotees faced greater congestion. The men’s and women’s separate queues were dissolved due to the new barricading pattern, leading to pushing and jostling inside the already compact temple premises.
Sevyats Express Deep Concern
The priests voiced unanimous dissatisfaction, calling the restrictions an infringement on their traditional rights.
Shailendra Goswami, Srivardhan Goswami and Shashank Goswami asserted that the committee was overstepping its mandate and tampering with religious customs.
Vijay Krishna Goswami expressed fear that the Dehri Pujan tradition may never be restored.
Committee member Dinesh Goswami added that while crowd management is necessary, the arrangements should not compromise the core service pattern of the temple.
Manoj Kumar Goswami said that distancing devotees by barricades was unfair: “If the committee wants to end our rights, we are ready to resist. Dehri Pujan is a sacred tradition and we will not allow it to be erased.”
Nitin Sanwariya Goswami remarked that the temple is already small, and the new barricades make it even more congested. Earlier, devotees could have darshan from close quarters, but now they are pushed 25 feet away. “The beauty of the deity and the devotional atmosphere both diminish at such a distance,” he said.
Several priests also criticized the administration for blaming them for not facilitating the darshan of Bageshwar Peethadhishwar earlier. “This is the responsibility of the administration and committee, not the priests,” said Jani Goswami. He added that halting Dehri Pujan is an insult to both devotees and tradition.
Historical Significance of Dehri Pujan
According to the sevyats, the practice of Dehri Pujan dates back to the construction of the temple in 1864. Initially, the elderly women of the priestly families performed the ritual, which later expanded to include the priests’ patrons. Over the past five to six decades, the ritual gained immense popularity among devotees.
The tradition is also linked to the era of Swami Haridas. Historical accounts note that Emperor Akbar once offered specially brought perfume at the deity’s threshold—further illustrating the antiquity and sanctity of the practice.
Ganesh Temple Reopens After Objections
In a separate development, the Ganesh Temple situated within the Banke Bihari premises was reopened on Saturday. Earlier locked by the committee, it was unlocked on Friday evening following objections by the sevyats and approval from the committee chairman. Priests resumed the traditional worship on Saturday morning, conducting aarti, pujan, and prasadam offerings as per established norms.
Administration’s Stand
District Magistrate C.P. Singh stated that the committee aims to ensure smooth darshan for devotees while also safeguarding the rights of the priests. He assured that the concerns of the sevyats would be carefully considered.
However, questions were raised about internal discipline within the committee itself. Sevyat Sanyam Goswami alleged that during the committee meeting, improper conduct occurred in the presence of women, yet no warnings or notices were issued. “If decorum cannot be maintained in the committee meeting, where will it be maintained?” he asked.
For now, the continuation of the centuries-old Dehri Pujan remains uncertain—caught in the conflict between heritage and regulation.
(Report: Vrindavan Today Digital Desk)
