The gopis dance in the forest, or Sarat Purnima

Gouache on cotton cloth.

This Kishangarh temple hanging (picchavai) of the Vallabhacharya sect depicting four gopis (milkmaids) dancing would have been hung beside an image of Krishna. The leading gopi gazes up towards Krishna in adoration. This subject is associated with the festival of Sarat Purnima, the full moon night in autumn when Krishna took part in a blissful round dance (Rasmandala) with the gopis.

To view a high-resolution version of this image and for further information please visit the Yousef Jameel Online Centre at the Ashmolean.