Nanda and other cowherds moving to Vrindavana Based on the story of the Bhagavata – Purana

Harassed by several demons, such as Putana, Trinavata, Bakasura, Shaktasura sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna, Nanda thought that Krishna and his people were not safe in Gokula. “Strange things are happenings now days, and there seem to roam dangerous and evil spirits all around.” Nanda said to his clan’s elderly people and decided to migrate to Vrindavan.

Once it was decided to shift, the people of Gokula packed their household things and started the journey towards Vrindavana, keeping their bulls, cows and calves in front and mounting the aged and the young ones in chariots, and carts.

The Kangra artist minutely painted the caravan of herders moving towards Vrindavan. Nanda in red canopied chariot is looking like a dignified noble man of Mughal court and shown leading his clan’s herdsmen. This painting reveals numerous details – the majestic white bulls of Nanda’s chariot, the old man with green turban driving the chariot of the Divine children, a lady carrying her child on her shoulders, another lady holding her charkha – spinning wheel, on her head, two men carrying huge bundle of their house hold things, a man carrying a churning rod and several other minute details all painted with utmost care to create the atmosphere of a village life of Punjab hills.

It is a crowded composition, yet every individual is painted with fine brush line, balanced colours and a fine example of the transformation of Mughal naturalism into Pahari style.