MAHARAJA OF JAIPUR AND BAHUCHARJI

 OPAGUE WATERCOLOR/GILT ON PAPER

 JAIPUR SCHOOL

12"x15"

DESCRIPTION: The maharaja of Jaipur seeking the blessings of the goddess Bahucharji(Chubal):The Goddess Bahucharje (a form of the great goddess Devi) who is attended by the gods Shiva and Mahader. The maharaja, perhaps Jagat Singh, is seen in a palace forecourt greeting the goddess who rests sidesaddle on a cockerel vahana, her vehicle. Behind her are Shiva and Mahader are seen as blue and white twins in a type of tandem dance. The goddess, though according to Blurton* is popular in Gujarat, Western India: lacks a reference in either Majupuria's or Gupte's books**. The three eyed goddess holds in her four hands; a mace, trident, sword and a lotus. She is richly dressed and bejeweled and on her head is a crown which is surrounded by a golden nimbus. The blue and white figures are also richly adorn and in thier four hands hold the following; Shiva peacock feathers, sword, drum whisk, and lotus. Their nimbus each contain a coiling snake. The floor of the forecourt is a rich pattern, behind the walls a rich profusion of flowers, in the forground a marble pool and fountain.