Celebration of Nand Mahotsav

Celebration of Nand Mahotsav

by Unknown Artist
Nathdwara
circa 1900

Opaque watercolour, gold and silver on paper
13.50 x 9.5 in. (34.3 x 24.1 cm.)

The Nand Mahotsav festival is celebrated on the day following Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna and commemorates the celebrations in the home of Nandraya and Yashoda, Lord Krishna’s foster parents. Shrinathji, seen at the centre is dressed in a saffron coat and sports a turban replete with a plume of peacock feathers. A priest is dressed up as Nandraya with a white turban, a white dhoti and an uparna, holding a rattle in his hand. Another priest is dressed as Yashoda in a sari and shown rocking the new-born Navanitpriyaji in a cradle. Performing aarti on the left is Girdharji and on the right is Govardhanlalji holding a fan.