Here is an eye-witness account of the festivities at Nathadwara in 1989

Sarasvati is the goddess of the day. In her honour, Shrinathji wears a silver brocade charvagha. Like silver, intellect too has to be constantly polished, otherwise it too turns dark. White also represents unblemished, pure character, essential for a Jayani/ intellectual/ philosopher. Countless jewels adorn the Lord and a jewel studded turban is topped by a large plume of peacock feathers. His plaited hair swings merrily to his left-hand side while He holds aloft red roses in his left hand. The stele is covered with yellow silk and the pichavi offered today is one of the costliest of all. Real pearls and gold are woven in to this pichavi to depict the "Tree of Life" motif. Often, this motif is also worshipped as representation of the Lord Himself.

Navnit-Priyaji is also richly dressed and today all the wall hangings in his haveli are white. Being the representative of Shrinathji, He is the central figure in today's main ritual, worshipping of the cows. Shrinathji has over 12,000 cows under his care. Of these, around a hundred come to represent his huge herd. Painted and decorated with peacock feathers, tassels and anklets, they are brought to the haveli in a mass of organised confusion. Clouds of dust flies everywhere, as herdsmen mock the cows by using rattles and taking away their calves. Cows charge around at speed, sometimes knocking the herdsmen to the ground. ( No one gets seriously hurt, as cows are usually not as aggressive as bulls. )

While the cows are sporting in the narrow streets of Nathadwara, Navnit-Lal gets ready to perform the momentous rituals of the last day of the year. Surrounded by servants, priests, musicians and attendant Goswamis, He makes a grand exit, seated in a golden palaquin, from his haveli. Every few paces the divine retinue comes to a halt as the Goswami offers paan to the Lord. Navnit-Lalji arrives in Shrinathji's haveli at a gentle pace. When every thing is ready, the Ladale-Lal comes out on to the steps of the Suraj-Pole to greet his beloved cows. After worshipping "Nandini", descended from a cow in the original heard of Nandababa in Krshna's time, the Lord requests her to return next day with all her friends for the worship of mount Govardhan. As night descends, countless lamps light up to dispel the darkness of despair and fear. A new year is eagerly awaited and, just like the people of Ayodhaya awaiting return of Rama from his exile, devotees await to see their Lord. Navnit-Lal sets up a small "hatadi", a kiosk, for selling various goods in the Ratan Chowk - courtyard of gems. Twelve arches of the glass/ mirror kiosk represent the twelve signs of the zodiac. The hatadi recalls a time when Bal-Krshna set up a small stall to attract the gopies. Silk cushions, bolsters and various golden objects are strewn around the colourful hatadi. A gold incense burner keeps the night bugs away as the Lord of the Universe gives the last darshan of the year.