Pichhwai: what it is, how it is made and what it means

Pichhwai are sizable paintings on fabric, mainly created in western India for Hindu temples. They are hung behind the image of Krishna, especially in Nathdwara, and show scenes from his life and worship. These artworks change with the festival calendar and are made by skilled groups of artists.

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Pichhwai paintings are made mainly for temples in Nathdwara, Rajasthan.
They show Krishna, especially as Shrinathji, and scenes of worship and festivals.
Artisans work together to create each pichhwai, often under a master painter.
The paintings are changed to match the Hindu festival calendar.
Pichhwais are also collected as art and adapted for modern design.

What is Pichhwai?

A pichhwai is a large, detailed painting made on cloth, usually cotton or silk. The artwork is designed to hang as a backdrop behind the main idol in a Hindu temple. Most pichhwais show Krishna as Shrinathji, surrounded by scenes of worship, rituals, music, and dance. The paintings are rich in detail, often including other figures from the Pushtimarg tradition, and are changed to match the season or festival being celebrated. The style is vivid and expressive, with each pichhwai telling a story through its imagery.

Where does Pichhwai come from?

Pichhwai painting began in the late 17th century, closely tied to the founding of the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. The tradition grew as artisans were commissioned to create these works for temple rituals and ceremonies. Over time, the art spread to other regions like Gujarat and Mathura as the Pushtimarg sect expanded. While Nathdwara remains the main center, Aurangabad is also linked to its history. The style has roots in Deccan painting but is now most associated with western India.

How Pichhwai is made

Creating a pichhwai involves several artists working together, often under a master painter. The process starts with preparing the cloth, sketching the design, and then painting with natural or sometimes modern pigments. Traditional themes and colors are used, but some modern pichhwais incorporate new techniques. The finished painting is mounted and hung behind the temple idol, with different pichhwais used for different times of year and festivals.

When and where Pichhwai is used

Pichhwais are central to worship in Pushtimarg temples, especially in Nathdwara. They are changed daily or for special occasions, reflecting the rituals, adornments, and festivals of Krishna. The paintings serve both as backdrops for the deity and as a way to share stories and traditions with devotees. Some pichhwais are also made for private homes or as art pieces, and they are popular with pilgrims and collectors.

Forms of Pichhwai

While the main subject is usually Shrinathji, some pichhwais show other forms of Krishna or related deities and priests. The style has evolved, with some artists adopting Western painting methods like oil paints and realism, especially in the 19th century. However, most artisans continue to use traditional techniques. Modern designers have also adapted pichhwai motifs for clothing and exhibitions.

What Pichhwai means

Pichhwai paintings are an important part of Hindu religious practice in the Pushtimarg tradition. They document the rituals, festivals, and daily worship of Krishna, and serve as a visual record of temple life. The art form is closely linked to Nathdwara and is recognized for its role in both religious and artistic heritage. Pichhwais are also seen at major festivals like Holi and Govardhan Puja, marking their cultural significance.

Days and festivals

Holi

Questions people ask about Pichhwai

What is a pichhwai?

A pichhwai is a large, painted cloth used as a backdrop in Hindu temples, mainly showing Krishna and scenes of worship. They are especially important in the Pushtimarg tradition and are changed to reflect different festivals and rituals.

Where did pichhwai painting originate?

Pichhwai painting began in the late 1600s in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, India, connected to the Shrinathji Temple. The tradition later spread to other regions as the Pushtimarg sect grew.

Who makes pichhwais?

Groups of skilled artists, often from families with a long tradition in the craft, create pichhwais. In Nathdwara, these artists usually work together under the guidance of a master painter.

What do pichhwais usually show?

Most pichhwais depict Krishna as Shrinathji, along with scenes from his life, temple rituals, festivals, and other figures from the Pushtimarg faith.

Are pichhwais used outside temples?

Yes, while they are mainly made for temple worship, pichhwais are also collected as art and have inspired modern designers, especially in clothing and exhibitions.

Good reading and sources

Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pichhwai", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Sōgetsu: Paul Davis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Nageirebana: GustavoReinoso7777, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Bonsai: Ragesoss, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Tokonoma: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, source

Garland: No machine-readable author provided. Piotrus assumed (based on copyrig, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Varamala: Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Rangoli: SreeramKalyan, CC0, source

Onam: Jiteshgt, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Pichhwai