The great saint, poet, and musician Swami Shri Haridas started the tradition of Madhurya Bhav seva of Thakur Shri Banke Bihariji Maharaj around 1500 AD. He was the Guru of Mian Tansen, one among the Navratnas at the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Swami Haridas was the reincarnation of Lalita sakhi , of the inner consortium of Lord Krishna. He constantly and continuously meditated on Nitya Raas, and his sadhna involved composing and singing songs in the praise of Lord.On the chilly winter morning of the 5th day of Shukla Pakshya of Margshirsh month, the charming Divine Couple, Shyama - Shyam appeared in person before Swamiji and his disciples at Nidhivan in Vrindavan. As the cosmic event ended, the group was blessed with the icon of Banke Bihariji in the Tribhang posture-playing flute.Swamiji entrusted the seva of Thakur Shri Banke Bihariji Maharaj to his younger brother Goswami Jagannathji and his descendants. Thakurji s seva was conducted in a small temple constructed in Nidhivan, close to his place of appearance. The present temple was constructed in 1862 AD by the cooperative effort of Goswamis who mobilized resources from all quarters to build a grand temple befitting the glory of Thakur Shri Banke Bihariji Maharaj.