Balarama under worship
India, Uttar Pradesh, probably Awadh (Oudh)
Not on view
This painting celebrates Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, under worship as Dauji Maharaj in a temple dedicated to him in the small town of Baldeo, near Mathura, in northern India. The black marble image, standing eight feet high, was reputedly discovered in a tank in 1535 and a temple erected for its worship. In all respects the painting mirrors the image under worship. Paintings of devotional icons can serve a surrogate function for devotees and hold a special interest as they open a window onto the most intimate and private spaces of Hindu temple, the sanctum sanctorum (Skt. garbhagriha; lit. womb chamber) where the principal icon is housed and which devotees only ever glimpse momentarily through half-open doors.
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