Worship of Shri Navanitapriyaji in the Govardhan Chowkh at the Shrinathji Temple Complex
18th-19th century
Description
The painting features a temple complex dedicated to Shrinathji, a form of the Hindu god Krishna. The idol of Shrinathji, shown with iconic dark skin, stands in a gray niche flanked by two priests. At the foot of the temple stairs is a golden shrine containing a gold idol surrounded by priests. The gold idol represents, Navantipriyaji (“The one who loves fresh butter”), another form of Krishna that is said to be a child-like form. The base of the stairs is fenced in and contains a large group of worshippers. The front register of the painting contains a large herd of cows with red handprints on their bodies. This was a common sign of reverence for cows, which are considered sacred to Hindus. The handprints are also a common feature in pichhwais, devotional paintings to Krishna on cloth that are commonly found in temples and personal shrines in Gujarat. The walls of the complex are painted with elephants and their riders. Govardhan Chowk, a marketplace located in Rajkot, Gujarat.
Dimensions
actual: 44.5 x 32.6 cm (17 1/2 x 12 13/16 in.)
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