39. Dann Bihari Temple
Objectives:
Objective3: To understand the playful pastimes (līlās) of Krishna and the Gopīs.
Objective4: To know about the temple darshan timings.
Objective5: To know about the nearby places of Daan Bihari temple.
Objective1: To learn about the historical background and ancient origins of the Sri Daan-Bihari Temple.
Temple History & Significance
Ancient Temple (≈800 years old):
One of the oldest temples in Barsana, built atop one of the four peaks of Brahmagiri Parvata, called Daana-garh or Daanagada, meticulously reflecting its age through design and structure
Name Meaning:
“Daan” means donation, and “Bihari” is an affectionate name for Lord Krishna. Together the name honours Krishna’s benevolence as Daana-Bihari—the Lord who donated.
Legend of Miraculous Donation:
A poor Brahmin needing dowry funds remembered Krishna. Krishna then miraculously provided gold equal in weight to Radharani, enabling the marriage—a demonstration of His divine kindness, inspiring the temple’s dedication.
Objective2: To highlight the unique representation of Krishna as Dana-Bihari Jiu and His qualities of generosity and love.
Deities & Worship
Sri Krishna worshiped here as Dana-Bihari Jiu, symbolizing the Lord’s loving and generous nature.Daily darshan and bhajan-kīrtan fill the temple with devotional energy. It is said that sincere prayers offered here are fulfilled by the Lord’s mercy.
Objective3: To understand the playful pastimes (līlās) of Krishna and the Gopīs.
Pastimes (Līlā) of Krishna and the Gopīs
Krishna and His cowherd friends would daily block the narrow path through Sankari-khora, demanding taxes in the form of milk, butter, ghee, etc., as the Gopīs led by Srimati RādhāRani carried offerings to worship the Sun God—a playful tax-collection pastime commemorated by the temple
As described in Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī’s “Dāna Keli Kaumudī”, gopīs such as Viśākhā boldly confronted Kṛṣṇa’s pretensions of authority and tax-office—declaring: “This is Rādhārani’s kingdom…your king’s pride is clinched by Her sidelong glances”—followed by joyful lila in a secluded grove, culminating in blissful union known as Kiśora-Kiśorī līlā
Objective4: To know about the temple darshan timings.
Visiting Hours
Open daily 4 AM to 9 PM—ideal for early morning darshan or evening arti gatherings.
Objective5: To know about the nearby places of Daan Bihari temple.
Nearby Holy Sites
Within walking distance:
Radha Rani Temple, Kirti Mandir, Maan Mandir, and Mor Kuti (Radha’s peacock-dance grove).
It’s common to include Dana‑Bihārī Mandir in a Barsana pilgrimage circuit along with these sacred sites.
