NATHDWARA, RAJASTHAN, NORTH INDIA, MID 19TH CENTURY

This colourful picchvai is a classic and fine example of the Nathdwara school. It depicts the sanctum of the Shri Nathji temple in Nathdwara, during the festival of Annakuta held in October/November. It commemorates the offering by the villagers of Vraj of their harvest to mount Govardhan, as suggested by Krishna. Annakuta is the largest annual festival, with pilgrims bringing the result of their harvest to the temple. A mountain of rice is presented to Shri Nathji, visible here at his feet, with other offerings in bowls. Women wearing colourful veils are kneeling at either side of the icon. Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Pushti Marg sect is seen standing to the left whilst other forms of the god are depicted in small cartouches around him. For a similar hanging and a short discussion on its style and meaning, see Landscapes of the Gods, Picchvais and Miniatures from the Gujral and other Private Collections, Prahlad Bubbar, 2013, cat. 9.