|Krishna's divine play [Krishna lila] for the annual pilgrimage of Vraja [Vraja yatra]; shrine hanging [pichhavai]

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Nathdvara, Rajasthan, India

Krishna's divine play
[Krishna lila] for the annual pilgrimage of Vraja
[Vraja yatra]
shrine hanging
[pichhavai] c. 1830
opaque watercolour, gold and silver on cotton 279.5 h x 255.5 w cm
Purchased 2005
Accession No: NGA 2005.354

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In the form of a map, this shrine hanging presents important moments in Krishna’s life. He appears as an infant, a playful child, a flirtatious young man and a protective hero. The places shown are major pilgrimage destinations for the Vallabha Hindu sect. Such paintings are displayed during the annual Vraja pilgrimage festival. Devotees unable to travel can attain religious merit by viewing the images and taking a mental rather than physical journey.

Krishna was born to oppose his uncle, the demon-king Kamsa. He survived infancy by living incognito in a cow-herding village. In the cluster of buildings near the painting’s centre, divine newborn Krishna appears before his parents. Below, Krishna’s father carries his son across the river, protected by a serpent and tiger.

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