The Jagannatha Temple and Krishna’s Dance of Love
This painting is devoted to honoring the Hindu deity Jagannatha, an expression of the Krishna avatar of Vishnu, whose worship is centered on the temple dedicated to him in the coastal town of Puri, in Odisha (Orissa), eastern India. The temple honors a triad of deities, Jagannatha, his half-brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra. Exceptionally in this composition, the temple complex has been encircled by a ring of leaf motifs which frame the central scene. This ‘auspicious garland’ serves as a venue for a series of vignettes with scenes from the adolescent life of Krishna, including his dance with the cowherds (Rasalila) and exploits recounted in the Bhagvata Purana.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Jagannatha Temple and Krishna’s Dance of Love
- Date: Mid-20th century
- Culture: India, Puri, Odisha
- Medium: Opaque watercolor on cloth
- Dimensions: Image: 50 × 40 in. (127 × 101.6 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Richard Greenbaum Fund, 2026
- Object Number: 2026.236
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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