A PICCHAVAI OF ANNAKUTA: FESTIVAL OF FIFTY-SIX OFFERINGS
INDIA, RAJASTHAN, NATHDWARA, 19TH CENTURY
Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000
Auction: 11 June 2025 from 10:00 BST
Description
painting on cotton, the idol of Shrinathji standing in the centre flanked by smaller figures of the deity, worshippers to either side, under a pavillion topped with billowing flags, the sky speckled with silver stars, the long borders decorated with images of Shrinathji, bordered with orange and blue flowerheads, on stretcher
Dimensions
sight size 123cm x 87.5cm
Footnote
This vibrant and richly coloured pichhavai is an excellent example of the Nathdwara school of painting. It portrays the sanctum of the Shri Nathji temple in Nathdwara during the festival of Annakuta, celebrated annually in October and November. The festival commemorates the villagers of Vraj offering their harvest to Mount Govardhan, following Krishna's guidance. As the most significant festival of the year, Annakuta draws pilgrims who bring the fruits of their harvest to the temple. A symbolic mountain of rice is placed at Shrinathji’s feet, surrounded by offerings in bowls. Women in brightly hued veils are shown kneeling reverently on either side of the deity. Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Pushtimarg sect, is depicted standing to the left, while smaller cartouches around the composition feature other forms of the god.