How the day is celebrated in the temple?
Throughout the day of Janmashtami, we have regular darshan in the temple. After Shayan Aarti (i.e. 2130 hrs) Bihariji goes to sleep as usual. A Shri Madbhagvatam discourse session, based on Shri Krisnna Janma katha (tenth Skandha) is organized outside the temple. Entire temple and surroundings are tastefully decorated with flowers, Patakas (flags), hangings and lights. In the Jagmohan (i.e. the elevated hall just outside sanctum sanctorum) a special throne made of gold and silver is placed (this area is generally accessible to visitors for having a closer darshan, but on celebrations it is isolated and Bihariji comes out of inner sanctum, so more visitors may have a closer and wider view).
At midnight Maha Abhishek is conducted in the inner sanctum, the ceremony is not open for public view. In this process deity is given a ceremonial bath by milk, curd, honey, ghee and water. After the abhishek, deity is decorated with fine cloths and jewellery for this special occasion. All other steps of regular Sewa like offerings of flowers, Tulsi, chandan, balbhog, beeri, itr etc are performed religiously. Bihariji comes to jagmohan and occupies the throne there. Darshan opens at around 2 AM. This is a very special midnight darshan session which continues up to 6 AM in the morning. This day Bihariji’s darshan as a birthday boy is extraordinarily charming !
The panchamrit Prasad (i.e. Prasad of maha abhishek, a mix of milk, curd, honey, ghee and water) is distributed among the devotees. Specially prepared delicacies i.e. sweets prepared from musk melon seeds, coconut, makhane etc are offered as bhog.
Mangla aarti is performed at 3:30AM. It is worthwhile to remember that the mangla aarti (early morning aarti) is not performed in the temple on regular basis. This is only on Janmashtami day, once in a year, that Bihariji is awake at this unearthly hour and mangla aarti is performed. After the mangla aarti, bhog is offered at 5 AM and darshan closes at 6 AM after another aarti.