People often ask why some vaishnavs are reluctant to give darshan of their Thakorji.
There are 2 main reasons – there are two philosophical reasons, based on the principles of the sect.
Other is based on practical and historical aspect when and where the sect developed.
According to the principles of Hinduism in general and Pushti Marg in particular, disclosing your sadhna (seva) to all and sundry is not a good idea. Feedback from ‘others’ can lead to confusion, doubt, re-evaluation of your sadhna etc These are negative aspects and can be detrimental to your progress. It is better to keep your bhav (feeling / emotions) to yourself and express it only to your Thakorji. As bhav and seva are rather personal matters anyway, it is best to keep them private. That way you can grow and mature them at your pace and become more one with your Thakorji. Once a sapling matures into a tree, it can buffet any storm, but till then, it needs protection. Similarly, seva, sadhna, bhavas need to be protected from an onslaught of external ideas and opinions of outsiders till a person is firm and confident enough in their own sadhna to explain it to others. So it is best to not express too much to others who don’t really know you.
From sectarian point of view, our Thakorji is our child and we don’t exhibit our child in front of all and sundry. Mothers, out of love and with a view to protecting their baby from najar (good and evil), do not bring their baby in front of all and sundry. So, out of extreme love for our Thakorji, we do not expose them to the gaze of everyone.
Historical reason for this is rather practical. Pushti Marg grew up in North India where muslim rulers ruled with an iron fist. Iconoclast in the extreme, they lost no opportunity to destroy Hindu idols, big and small. They also had no qualms about looting wealth that belonged to Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Our Thakorjis are often dressed in finery and have nice jewellery. Muslim neighbours if they saw this wealth, could covet it and try all they can to take it from us. This was a real fear in 15th – 19th Century when Hindus were legally marginalized and muslims regularly deprived Hindus of their wealth in any way they could. As a historical and social throw back of that period, even till today, Vaishnavs do not generally display their Thakorjis in public. That is why, unlike temples in South India, our havelis do not take our Thakorjis in public processions on a regular basis.
Some vaishnavs make absurd, illogical claims about why we should not take photos or share photos of Thakorji. Some go so far as to say it is forbidden in the scriptures. Fact that cameras were not around at the time when scriptures were written, means no sage or saint or Shri Vallabh could / should / would have forbidden photography in haveli or home.
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