2024.12.05 (Vrindavan Today News): A recent claim about two deities of Thakur Shri Banke Bihari Maharaj has sparked anger among the Goswami priests of Vrindavan. They assert that there is only one deity of Shri Banke Bihari Ji, which has never left the temple premises since its establishment over a century back.
The controversy began when news circulated on social media about a school in Ujjain organizing a program featuring “darshan” (sacred viewing) of Banke Bihari Ji. According to the event organizers, the ‘chal vigraha’ (moving deity) of Thakur Ji would travel from Vrindavan to Ujjain for this event. They claimed that the same deity is displayed during the Phool Bangla (floral decorations) in the temple.
This claim has drawn strong objections from Vrindavan’s Goswamis. Dinesh Goswami, one of the temple priests, dismissed the claim as “blatantly false,” stating that there is no second ‘vigraha’ of Shri Banke Bihari ji. He accused the organizers of exploiting people’s faith for monetary gain. “During summers, the same deity is placed in the Jagmohan (outer side of the sanctum sanctorum) for darshan, and in winters, it resides in the sanctum sanctorum. It has never been taken outside the temple premises,” he clarified.
Another priest, Manish Goswami, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that since the temple’s inception, the deity of Banke Bihari Ji has remained in Vrindavan. He further explained that the deity, believed to have been manifested by Swami Haridas during his intense spiritual practice, has been a revered symbol of devotion for several centuries.
“Banke Bihari Ji’s deity is globally renowned and deeply revered for the devotees. The claim that it is being transported elsewhere is baseless and condemnable,” he said.
The Goswamis have strongly criticized such misleading narratives, calling them a distortion of religious truth and a betrayal of devotees’ trust. They have urged people to verify facts and avoid falling prey to false propaganda in the name of religion.
The incident underscores the growing concern over the commercialization of faith and the need for authenticity in spiritual practices. As the debate continues, the temple authorities are expected to issue a formal statement to address the matter and safeguard the sanctity of Banke Bihari Ji’s legacy.
