Daily Darshan
Darshan Description
According to Shrimad Bahgvat, Shri Vallabhacharya had started the Ashtyaam sewa with the bhao of Nandalaya. Later his second son Shri Gusainji Vitthalnathji established the elaborate sewa of Bhog and Shringar which is followed till today as started nearly 500 years ago. The festivals and their way of celebrations is also not changed; the various type of clothes and ornaments that Shreeji wears are the same as started several 100 years ago by Shri Gusainji.
All His Bhog is prepared according to the various seasons and days. Every type of food is prepared for Shreeji and offered in His Nij Mandir. All the traditional foods; with every dry fruit, many very expensive herbs are also used depending on the seasons. Only black pepper and rock salt is used in the preparation of His food. A lot of sugar is added in His sweet preparations. During the hot summer months He is offered water with Chandan and Gulab; while in the winters with kesar.
Govardhan Parvat has eight doors. Each door is the place of one Asht Sakha (The eight Gwal friends) of Shreeji. The Asht Sakha were the eight poet friends, who wrote and sang various bhajans in classical bhao. All the serachanas are in praise of Shreeji and express different bhava's. They are used till today in Nathdwara with each Darshan, according to the particular Darshan and time of the day. Each Darshan has a special bhava and meaning.
From morning, when Shreeji is woken, right through till the time of going to bed, there are eight Jhankis (Darshans) which are open to devotees. They are called-Mangala; Shringar; Gwal; Rajbhog; Utthapan; Bhog; Aarti; Shayan.
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Mangala - 7.00 am - 8.00 am
This is the first darshan of the day. Shreeji is woken with the sound of Shankhnaad.
This darshan is open for almost 45 minutes.
This darshan time depends on the season. During summer darshans open a little late. The bhava is that during summer Shreeji plays longer and so will sleep later; hence has to be woken up late; the Shringar is also lighter. He wears a simple adbandha. His flute is not given because if Shreeji begins to play early all would be enchanted and none would be able to work. In winter He sleeps early, so will be awake earlier for the Mangala darshans.
In the winter season, He is covered totally in a rajai (blanket) so that only the Mukharvind is visible. There is asigri (coal fire) lit before Him to create warmth. Rest of the year He wears an Uparna. Milk and Mishri, butter- milk, thord, seera are offered as bhog; according to the season. The 'Seera' is one of Shreeji's most favorite dish – the Mangal bhog 'Seera'.
Aarti is done in this darshan. Dou vat batti aarti (two standing wicks) is performed; with seven full rounds and seven half rounds. Sewa is performed with the bhao of Navneet Priyaji. His Sthan is above the Surbhi Kund, below Shyam Tamal, at Govardhan. It is thought that in Nandalaya (at Mathura), all His sakha and gopijan will come for the Darshans of Bal Krishna. Shri Parmanand das is the Kavi (poet) whose rachnas (poems) are sung in this darshan.
Shringar Darshan - 9.30 am - 10.00 am
Around an hour after Mangala, is the Shringar Darshan.
Shreeji is dressed according to different seasons and festivals. His entire Wardrobe and Jewellery of 365 days has been decided by Shri Gusainji nearly 500 years back and is followed till today. The clothes He adorns once are never worn again. Shreeji is offered a garland of sweet fragrant flowers. The two Chadiare also offered, along with His Bansuri. After His Shringar is complete, the mukhiyaji shows Him a Gold Aaina(mirror) so that Shreeji can be satisfied He is well dressed. There is no aarti in this darshan. Bhog is offered of dry fruits and sweets.Sewa is performed with the bhava of Shree Gokul Chandramaji. His Sthan is above Mansi Ganga, below the Peepal tree at Govardhan. Kirtans and bhajans of the poet Shri Nand Das is sung now.
Gwal
An hour and a half after Shringar is the Gwal darshan..
This darshan is the time when Thakurjee takes His Gaumata for grazing. The Gaushala mukhiya comes to inform Shreeji that all His cows are doing well. Tulsi Dal is offered at His Feet. Dhoop Dhunni is done for Shreeji so that no evil eye harms Him. Aarti with dou vaat batti (two standing wicks) is performed now. Bhog is offered of rabdi, kheer, milk etc.Sewa is performed with the bhao of Shree DwarkaNathji. His sthan is in The Kadamb Khedi, above the Erapat Kund at Govardhan. Kirtans and bhajans of poet, Kavi Shri Govind Swami is sung now.
Rajbhog - 11.00 am - 12.00 pm
This is the fourth Darshan of the day.
In this Jhanki, Shreeji stands with Lotus and a new Mala (garland). His triangle betel leaves are offered, His Venu(flute) and Chadi (canes) are also there. Aarti is performed in this Darshan. Bhog is offered of all types of food equivalent of an elaborate lunch. Shreeji's food is always made extra sweet and no chillies used in the preparation. His jal (water) is always mixed with either Gulab, Chandan or some Kesar.After this Darshan, Shreeji's Haveli is shut for the afternoon as it is His time for vishram (rest). Nearly three hours later the Shankhnaad (conch) is heard again.
Sewa is performed with the bhava of ShreeNathji Himself. His Sthan is at Anyor below the neem tree of Saddu Pande, at Govardhan. Kirtans and bhajans of the kavi, poet Shri Kumbhan Dasji are sung.
Utthanpan - 4.00 pm - 4.30 pm
This is the first of the four afternoon Darshans.
The mandir is shut for the afternoon. Shreeji is then woken with the sound of the Vina. This Darshan is open for a short time. The entire Haveli seems very peaceful and calm at this time. Bhog is offered of Fruits and milk products.Kirtans of Shri Surdas are now sung. Sewa is performed in the bhava of Shree Mathureshji. His Sthan is at Saghan Kandara Parasoli above Chandra Sarovar at Girirajji.
Bhog - 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm
This Darshan opens around an hour after Utthapan.
During summers small fragrant fountains are started for cooling and in winters a coal sigri is burnt at some distance from Thakurjee for providing heat. There is Flower Shringar or Flower Bangala in this Darshan. A 'Chadi Dar' with a gold chadi, is present on the side who dresses in the formal attire of the moguls. A morchadiis waved around Shreeji. Bhog is of mainly fruits, Thor and some light snacks.Kirtans of Shri Chaturbhuj Das are sung now. Darshans are of the bhava of Gokulnathji. His Sthan is near Nava Kund, above Rudan Kund, below the Aavli tree at Govardhan.
Sandhya Aarti
This Darshan is immediately after the Bhog Darshan.
Shreeji comes back home from Gocharan and play. Yashoda Maiya does Aarti for Her son, is the bhava of this Darshan. The Shringar and Vastra become light, preparing for sleep. Shreeji is offered His Venu (flute) now. It marks the end of the day. Aarti is performed. The Sudarshan Chakra is also offered Bhog. The Dhajaji is wrapped around and given rest for the night.Kirtans of Shri Chitta Swami are now sung. Darshans are of the bhava of Shri Vitthalnathji. His Sthan is at Apsara Kund, below Shyam Tamal at Govardhan.
Shayan - 6.45 pm - 7.45 pm
This is the eighth and last Darshan of the day.
The Vina is played and Shreeji is offered His Venu(flute) for the night. His Shaiyaaji (bed) is prepared in the right way. It is a very quiet & silent feeling in the entire town once Shreeji retires for the night. Bhog is offered for the night. Jal (water) is filled. Laddoos are kept, Paan also are kept.Kirtans of Shri Krishna Das are now sung. The Darshan bhava are of Shree Madanmohanji. His Sthan is at Shyam Tamal and below the Kadamb tree, above Bilchu Kund at Girirajji.
All return to their homes to come back for sewa the next day. This cycle continues every day all through the years.
