Shrinathji - Annakuta festival

Shrinathji - Annakuta festival

India, Kotah region, Nathdwara, 19th century

Gouache and gold on paper depicting a central scene with several animated registers of characters. 25 x 32.5 cm Provenance : Former Belgian collection. This painting illustrates the productions associated with the Sri Nathji temple in Nathdwara, south of Jaipur, founded in 1672 by the followers of the saint Vallabhacharya (1479-1531). During the Annakuta festival in October/November, devotees commemorate the villagers' offering of their harvest to Mount Govardhan. Pilgrims then bring the result of their harvest to time. A mountain of rice is presented to Shri Nathji, visible here at his feet, along with other offerings in bowls. The special feature of this painting is the representation of the "tilkayats", important figures linked to the sanctuary, considered to be the direct descendants of the founder. Thus, we find portraits of Vitthalnathji (1516-1586), a yoga practitioner, accompanied by his seven sons; Tilkayat Girdharji (1842-1902), a great patron of architecture, painting and other arts; in a white sari accompanied by two figures, Vallabhacharya (1479-1531), founder of the sect; in a green jacket, probably Tilkayat Govardhan Lalji (1862-1934), the sanctuary's principal - and most popular - priest. "Shrinathji", Annakuta festival, India, Kotah region, Nathdwara, 19th century