Supreme Court Seeks Reply on Plea Against Change in Bankey Bihari Temple Darshan Timings

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and a court-appointed High-Powered Committee over a plea challenging recent changes in darshan timings at the Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple in Mathura. The plea also questions the decision to stop the traditional Dehri Pooja at the temple.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, heard this matter of Management Committee Of Thakur Shree Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple And Anr. Versus Shree Bankey Bihari Ji Mandir High Powered Management Committee And Ors. The Court has sought replies from the concerned parties by January 7, 2026.

The petition has been filed by the Management Committee of Thakur Shree Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple through Gopesh Goswami and Rajat Goswami. The committee has challenged decisions taken by the High-Powered Temple Management Committee, Vrindavan, which include changes in darshan timings and discontinuation of Dehri Pooja.

The plea states that these decisions go against the Supreme Court’s earlier order dated August 8, where it had clarified that the High-Powered Committee should not interfere in the temple’s internal religious practices, including puja, seva, and prasad.

According to the petitioners, Dehri Pooja is a long-standing religious practice performed when the temple is closed to the general public. It is conducted in the early morning, afternoon, and late night hours. The Dehri is treated as the feet of the deity, where devotees offer fragrance, flowers, and prayers. The plea argues that stopping this ritual is arbitrary and interferes with essential religious practices, violating Articles 25 and 26(b) of the Constitution.

The petitioners have also raised concerns about the use of temple funds by the High-Powered Committee, including expenses on car rentals. They have further objected to the process followed for appointing Goswami representatives to the committee, alleging that the Chairman ignored the requirement of majority consent.

In August, the Supreme Court had placed the temple’s administration under a High-Powered Committee headed by Justice Ashok Kumar, a former judge of the Allahabad High Court. This was done after suspending the committee formed under the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025. Until the Allahabad High Court decides on the constitutional validity of the ordinance, the Supreme Court-appointed committee continues to manage the temple.

The matter has been filed through Advocate-on-Record Tanvi Dubey, with Senior Advocate Shyam Divan appearing for the petitioners.