Shri Banke Bihari Darshan on Akshaya Tritiya 2024: Apart from Janmashtami, devotees of Shri Banke Bihari especially wait for the day of Akshaya Tritiya. In fact, the day of Akshaya Tritiya is the only occasion in the entire year when the feet of Banke Bihari can be seen. A huge crowd of devotees gather in the Banke Bihari temple of Vrindavan to have darshan of the feet of Thakur ji. Preparations for this divine darshan are started a month in advance.
Full darshan once a year
This year Akshaya Tritiya (Akhatrij) will be celebrated on 10th May. Akshaya Tritiya is the only occasion in the year when Thakur Ji appears in full form. Therefore this day has special significance. On this occasion, about 100 kg of sandalwood is worshiped to provide coolness to Shri Banke Bihari.
Malaygiri's sandalwood is being rubbed for a month
For the sandalwood service of Banke Bihari on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, sandalwood is brought in large quantities from Malayagiri in South India and grinding of sandalwood is started a month before the date of Akshaya Tritiya. Sandalwood is rubbed daily for several days by Sevayat Goswamis. Then on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, sandalwood paste is applied to Thakur ji to protect him from the heat so that he gets coolness in the heat.
100 kg sandalwood is being ground
About 100 kg of sandalwood is being ground for the sandalwood service of Thakur ji. About seven hundred Goswami families rub sandalwood on stone slabs in their homes and temples. After this, this sandalwood paste will be applied to Banke Bihari on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, Banke Bihari will give charan darshan in the morning and full form darshan in the evening. Since it happens only once a year, devotees eagerly wait for the Akshaya Tritiya festival.