Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balarama

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Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balarama

c. 1940

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

One of the holiest Hindu sites in India, the Jagannath Temple in Puri is visited by millions of pilgrims each year. The shrine is dedicated to a particular form of the god Vishnu, called Jagannath (Lord of the Universe). Images of the god with his white-colored brother, Balabhadra, and their yellow-colored sister, Subhadra, are regularly carved from logs of fragrant margosa trees that have been ritually cut down. The three log-deities, with their huge eyes and simple red smiles, are most often shown with the clothing and offerings they are given every evening. Pilgrims take home paintings of these divine siblings to worship privately and to give to friends and relatives. Artists still produce great numbers of this image.

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Object Details

Title:

Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balarama
Souvenir Painting of the Jagannath Temple Deities

Date:

c. 1940

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor on cloth

Dimensions:

Diameter (Sheet Diameter): 7 7/16 inches (18.9 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Gift of Carl Zigrosser, 1972

Accession Number:

1972-237-18

Geography:

Made in Puri District, Odisha, Puri Region, India, Asia

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