Shri Pagal Baba Temple, Vrindavan

Built in white marble, the temple stands beautifully at the entrance of Vrindavan if you come from Delhi-Agra Highway. The word ‘pagal’ here signifies the intense devotion of the temple’s founder to Lord Krishna. Each tier of the seven-storeyed structure is dedicated to a different avatar of Lord Krishna. The top floor of the temple gives a bird’s eye-view of Mathura and Vrindavan. On the ground floor is the famous animated puppet show, where scenes from Mahabharata and Ramayana are enacted.

Story of Pagal Baba :

There is an interesting story behind the origin of this temple. There was a poor Brahmin who was a true devotee of Shri Banke Bihari Ji and he used to chant his name with full devotion and happiness.

One day, he needed some money. So, he went to the moneylender to ask for the same. And as per his expectations, the moneylender gave him the required money and asked him to return it in 12 installments. The Brahmin agreed to the fixed terms and came back home. After that, he started returning the amount every month.

Everything was going great until the day he received a notice from the moneylender that he had not repaid the loan yet and now, he should give the entire amount with the interest. After going through the notice, he visited the moneylender and tried to sort out the things. But the moneylender was not ready to listen to anything and hence, the matter reached the court.

During the hearing, the Brahmin explained everything to the Judge and said that except one installment, he had paid all the money to the moneylender. The Judge of the court asked the Brahmin “Is there any witness who can stand by him and prove whatever he is saying is true?” He thought for a while and finally answered, “Yes, there is a person who will testify on my behalf and that is – Shri Banke Bihari Ji.”

Everyone was surprised hearing this, but, for the sake of the Brahmin, the Judge asked for his address and sent the notice to Banke Bihari Ji Temple. As per the legal proceedings, people were waiting for the witness to come on the next date of the court and to everyone’s surprise, an old man came and told the judge that I was there with the Brahmin while he was giving every installment to the moneylender.

The old man told the exact dates on which the Brahmin had returned the amount and asked the judge to cross-check with the moneylender’s bookkeeping. The judge did the same and all his statements turned out to be true. After all this, the Brahmin was declared innocent and released from the court with all respect.

The Judge was really confused after whatever happened in the court, and to clear out his turmoil, he asked the Brahmin about the old man. The Brahmin said, “He was my Banke Bihari Ji. He came to save me and my trust in him.” The Judge further asked, “Where does he live?” To which, the Brahmin said that he is everywhere, in you, in me.

Soon, the judge resigned from his position and even left his family to meet Banke Bihari Ji. After many years of hustle, he finally reached Vrindavan in search of one and only Thakur Ji. He was continuously going here and there to know the address of Banke Bihari Ji and in no time, people started calling him “Pagal Baba.”

With the help of devotees, he built a temple for Banke Bihari Ji and the temple got famous as Pagal Baba Temple in Vrindavan.

Architecture of Pagal Baba Temple, Vrindavan

Built with high-quality white marble, the Pagal Baba Temple features a modern yet marvelous Nagara-style architecture that looks stunning from the inside out. Constructed in the year 1969, the temple is a 9-storey building, with each floor having a different Dham to offer to its devotees.

Some Facts about the Pagal Baba Temple, Vrindavan

• The temple is 221 feet in height and approximately 150 feet in width.
• At the entrance, you can see a gorgeous lush-green garden with a water fountain and a water pond. In addition, the temple also has an Akhand Jyoti, which is illuminated 24 by 7 in a separate glass chamber.
• There is a dharmshala on the left and right side of the temple and it is managed by the Prabandh Samiti of mandir trust.
• A puppet show is organized on the ground floor of the temple throughout the year. The puppets exhibit the scenes of the famous epics of India – the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
• The electronic jhanki of Krishan Leela, Ram Leela, and Pagal Baba Leela are also available at the lower part of this holy place. It can be enjoyed from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
• On the first floor, you will see a circular window that is designed in such a way that it resembles the Sudarshan chakra of Shri Vishnu.
• From the top floor of the temple, one can enjoy a good view of the town Vrindavan.