Anyone who looks at the Khatu darshan photo each morning knows that Baba never looks the same twice. Yellow robes one day, red the next; a court of lotuses, then a sweep of peacock feathers — each morning’s shringar is that day’s own darshan.
The baga — Baba’s robes
Baba’s robe is called the “baga”. The Shyam Aarti itself describes it — “tan kesariya baga, kundal shravan pade”, a saffron baga on his form and earrings at his ears. Saffron is Baba’s best-known colour, but the colour and embroidery of the baga change with the season and the festival.
Devotees offer a baga for Baba out of devotion. For how and when such an offering is accepted, ask the temple committee.
Crown, peacock feathers, itra and flowers
Baba’s crown and court are dressed with peacock feathers — hence his name “Morchhadi Dhari”, bearer of the peacock-feather wand. Itra and fresh flowers are integral to the shringar, and the garlands of roses, marigolds and other flowers are new every day.
One of the day’s five aartis is the Shringar Aarti — the aarti after Baba’s adornment is complete. That morning jhanki sets the form of the whole day’s darshan.
Tilak shringar and the closed pat
After Amavasya, Baba receives a special tilak shringar. For this ritual the temple doors (pat) are closed to general darshan and reopen only once the shringar is complete. News reports have put the closure at about nineteen hours on one occasion and longer on others — it differs each time.
The temple also closes on eclipse days, with a purification after the eclipse, and the committee may announce changes to darshan arrangements before major festivals.
The Shri Shyam Mandir Committee announces every such closure in advance on shrishyammandir.com. If you are travelling around Amavasya, check the notice before you leave, along with the aarti timings.
Festival shringar
On the great festivals the shringar is grander still. On the Janmotsav (Dev Uthani Ekadashi) Baba is bathed with itra and dressed in flowers; at the Falgun Mela the whole court takes on festival colour; and at Janmashtami the temple is decked with flowers and peacock feathers.
Today’s shringar, from home
Devotees who cannot reach Khatu can see and save each day’s shringar photo, as released by the temple, on the daily darshan page, and join the live darshan at aarti time.