Pichwai paintings of Nathdwara

PICHWAI PAINTINGS OF NATHDWARA



Location:



Nathdwara, a sleepy ,dusty ,small town set on a hill some 50kms(30 miles) from Udaipur,is the scene of most lush and vibrant visual art forms in India , Pichwai paintings.



History:



In the 17th century ,when Aurangzeb prohibited the worship of images, Hindu devotees in Mathura , home of Lord Krishna ,became fearful that their sacred statues might be smashed & decided to take them to safer locations.

The images of Sri Nathji were loaded on a chariot and sent on its way to Mewar.At Sikar, a wheel of the chariot sank deep into the sand and it couldn’t be removed despite reapeated efforts.This was interpreted as a sign that the image wanted to dwell at that place and the priests decided that it should stay.

A temple was built for the idol and the village came to be known as Nathdwara , “home of Sri Nathji” or Lord Krishna.



Pichwai paintings:



Pichwai literally means that which ...