Pichhavai, Sacred Hanging

Nathdwara is an important shrine of the Vaishnavite sect in western India. The worship of Krishna as Shrinathji at Nathdwara has been immensely popular and considered sacred by the Vallabhacharya sect atleast since the 17th century. The shrine is especially elaborate and resembles the worldly dwelling of the deity. The painted picchavai hung in Vallabhacharya shrines is the most important textile of these temples and thus elaborate and distinctive. The hanging is meant to reflect different festivals, seasons, and the daily routine of the deity and is changed accordingly from time to time. The painting is done on thick coarse cotton cloth treated to avoid bleeding of colours. This picchavaidepicts the theme of annakuta or offering of food to Shrinathji which is seen placed in the lower foreground. Priests are shown performing aarti and singing in his praise and the devotees seem to accompany them in their devotion to the Lord. The elaborately colourful picchavai is framed with blocks in which smaller representations of Shrinathji are painted, each decked in different festive costumes, whether it is in the vibrant colours of Holi, the festivities of Janmashtami, or the ever-popular Raas-Leela, the ritual dance of Krishna and the cow-herdswomen.

Other themes of picchavai include Nandamahotsava (birthday of Krishna), Danalila (taking of the toll from the gopis), SharadaPurnima (autumn moon), etc.