Travel Guide · Temple Guides · Updated October 2026
Hariyali Teej and the Golden Swing at Banke Bihari
By Gurudutt, Experience My India·21 October 2026
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Hariyali Teej at Banke Bihari: what makes it special
The celebration of Hariyali Teej at the banke bihari temple features one of the most famous and highly anticipated rituals in Braj Mandal. Observed on Shravan Shukla Tritiya during the monsoon season, it draws hundreds of thousands of devotees for a rare, once-a-year darshan of Lord Banke Bihari swinging on a golden and silver swing.
Across India, Teej is a festival of green, swings and the monsoon. Women wear green, apply mehendi, sing Teej songs and set up swings at home. In Braj, the festival takes a distinctly Radha-Krishna colour. Hariyali Teej signifies the deep spiritual love between Radha Rani and Lord Krishna and it commemorates the monsoon swings of Goloka brought down to the groves of Vrindavan. The swing is not a decoration here. It is the heart of the darshan. See our Mathura Vrindavan tour Packages or message WhatsApp +91 7302265809.
The sacred tradition of Jhulan Yatra
Hariyali Teej is also the doorway to the Jhulan Yatra of Braj, the season of swing festivals that traditionally runs through the month of Shravan. At Banke Bihari, the Teej swing darshan is the most famous moment of that season and it is built from four distinct elements.
Leaving the sanctum
On this specific day, the deity of Thakur Ji moves out of the inner sanctum (Garbhagriha) to occupy the grand swing installed in the temple’s outer courtyard (Jagmohan). On most days of the year, devotees see Him only within the sanctum, so seeing Him seated on the swing in the courtyard is a rare view.
Divine vestments
Matching the vibrant rejuvenation of nature, Banke Bihari is dressed in exquisite green attire (green poshak) and adorned with seasonal monsoon blossoms. The dress and the flowers carry the mood of Sawan, when Braj turns green after the rains.
Special bhog
Devotees offer traditional monsoon delicacies, most notably ghevar and pheny, alongside seasonal fruits and makhan mishri. Ghevar and pheny are the classic sweets of the rainy season in Braj and makhan mishri is Thakur Ji’s own favourite offering in the Krishna tradition.
Amrit Varsha
Following the evening aarti, holy scented water is sprinkled over the massive gathering in a ritual known as the ‘rain of nectar’. It is considered a blessing and it is one of the reasons pilgrims stay on late into the evening.
Secrets of the golden swing (Swarna Hindola)
The spectacular swing used during the festival is an artistic marvel with a rich history. The figures below are as reported by the temple tradition and devotees, so confirm them with the temple before quoting them in print.
The scale
The structure stands roughly 32 feet wide and 12 feet high. It is crafted using solid wood encased in about 10 kilograms of pure gold and 1,000 kilograms of silver, which is why it is known as the Swarna Rajat Hindola, the gold and silver swing.
The origin
It was commissioned by a dedicated devotee named Seth Hargulal Beriwala. The basic wooden frame was sourced from the forests of Tanakpur and master artisans from Banaras spent five years intricately carving it and layering it with precious metals.
The inauguration
The swing was first used on Hariyali Teej in 1947, which forever links its legacy to the year of India’s Independence. Every year since, the swing has been brought into the Jagmohan for this single festival.
Hariyali Teej darshan at a glance
Element | What happens | What to know |
The swing darshan | Thakur Ji leaves the Garbhagriha and sits on the Swarna Rajat Hindola in the Jagmohan | Once-a-year darshan; the courtyard fills fast |
The vestments | Green poshak and seasonal monsoon blossoms | Matches the monsoon greenery |
The bhog | Ghevar, pheny, seasonal fruits, makhan mishri | Offerings follow the temple’s seva system |
Amrit Varsha | Holy scented water sprinkled after the evening aarti | Expect a slow exit afterwards |
The swing itself | About 32 ft wide, 12 ft high, wood encased in about 10 kg gold and 1,000 kg silver | First used on Hariyali Teej in 1947 |
Guidelines for travelling devotees
If you are planning a pilgrimage to Vrindavan for this festival, keep these essential factors in mind.
Expect massive crowds. Hundreds of thousands of devotees are reported to reach Vrindavan’s narrow lanes. Expect controlled one-way walking routes, barricades and vehicle restrictions near the temple zone. Cabs usually stop around 300 m away, so plan for a walk. See our is vrindavan crowded today guide.
Check the temple timings. Darshan hours change on festival days and the swing darshan follows the temple’s own schedule. Check our mathura vrindavan temple timings guide and confirm with the temple a few days before.
Book accommodation and transport early. Hotels and guest houses in Vrindavan and Mathura fill up for major festival days. Book after the date is confirmed. See our hotels near prem mandir vrindavan guide and our how to commute in vrindavan guide.
Keep the camera away. Photography is banned inside Banke Bihari. Keep your phone zipped away in the darshan area. See our photography in vrindavan temples guide.
Plan for the monsoon. It is the rainy season, so carry a light raincoat or compact umbrella, wear non-slip footwear and protect your phone and documents in a waterproof pouch. Wet lanes are slippery in a dense crowd.
Think about seniors and wheelchair users. The crowd and the barricaded routes are hard going. If someone in your group has limited mobility, read our vrindavan wheelchair accessible guide first.
Stay safe. Hold your group together, keep valuables minimal and watch your phone and glasses near the monkeys. See our is vrindavan safe guide.
Plan your Hariyali Teej visit with a local guide
A festival day like this is where local knowledge makes the pilgrimage easy. We can book your stay and transport once the date is confirmed, plan your arrival around the vehicle restrictions, arrange a Braj-born guide who knows the walking routes and the early darshan timing and suggest a calmer darshan plan for seniors and families. Darshan is free. A shared day tour starts from around ₹1,499 per person and you can see our vrindavan tour package and mathura vrindavan tour itinerary pages to plan. Message us on WhatsApp at +91-7302265809.
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