Vrindavan: A centuries-old tradition at the Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan was broken on December 15, leaving devotees stunned. For the first time in over 500 years, Shri Thakur Banke Bihari Ji was not offered Bal Bhog in the morning or Shayan Bhog in the evening, a ritual that has been performed daily without fail for generations.
Big Breaking 🚨
Shocking news coming from Vrindavan, For the first time in over 500 years, Thakur Banke Bihari Ji was not offered the Morning Bhog!Let that sink in
This happened under a Supreme Court appointed management committee in Vrindavan.
Bhog tender had been handed to…
— News Matrix (@NewsMatrixIND) December 16, 2025
The disruption was traced to Mayank Gupta, the Mandir’s appointed confectioner, who is responsible for preparing the prasad and bhog for Thakurji. Sources revealed that Gupta had not been receiving his salary for several months. In protest, he refused to prepare the offerings, leaving the Mandir without its daily food ritual.
Mandir authorities and devotees were shocked to see Thakurji giving darshan without the customary bhogs. The Mandirs Goswamis expressed deep dissatisfaction, while the Supreme Court-appointed High Power Committee, which oversees the Mandir’s management, scrambled to resolve the issue. Committee member Dinesh Goswami confirmed that the Bal Bhog and Shayan Bhog were not available and emphasised that immediate steps are being taken to ensure this does not happen again.
The incident has sparked widespread debate among devotees and observers. Many questioned the effectiveness of court-managed administration in a sacred place where faith and tradition have remained uninterrupted for centuries. Critics argued that such administrative experiments risk disrupting age-old rituals and diluting the accountability that comes with managing a place of worship.
“This is not just about food or tradition, it is about devotion and centuries of faith,” said one senior devotee. “For 500 years, Thakurji has never gone hungry. Today, history changed, and it should make all Hindus reflect on how we manage our sacred traditions.”
The High Power Committee has reportedly issued orders to pay Mayank Gupta immediately and is reviewing the tender process for prasad preparation to prevent a repeat of such incidents. Meanwhile, thousands of devotees who visit the Mandir daily have expressed concern and disappointment, emphasising that spiritual traditions cannot be reduced to administrative procedures.
