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Vagh Barash
Shrinathji wears a gold brocade "Kachani" ( courtly skirt
like dress worn by Rajput and Moughal aristocrates ) with
numerous necklaces of pearls and emeralds. The beautiful
yellow turban is topped with a gold ornament. The stele is
covered with dark green silk, contrasting nicely with a
red and gold pichavi.
Celebrating the bounties of nature, pichavi depicts golden
flowers growing on a delicate moughal trellis. Mani Kota (
chamber of gems ), directly in front of the inner sanctum,
is decorated with four plantains ( banana plant ) and
leaves of the asopalav tree ( cypress ). Chandeliers and
chequered red and green brocade canopy lend a regal feel
to the inner sanctum.
Navnit-Priyaji is similarly dressed in golden apparel and
swathed in pearls and emeralds. The pichvi here is of
beautiful purple and yellow stripes - pichvi is a
colourful backdrop (usually on cloth) and is used to
create a desired mood or commemorate a specific event.
Veranda outside the inner sanctum of Ladela-Lal is covered
in white wall hangings studded with silver moons.
Miniature cows and herdsmen (made out of painted wood)
wait near the door for the Lord to come out and play with
them.
In the evening Navnit-Lal sits in the garden courtyard
amid regal splendour. A spacious glass and mirror bungalow
is set up near the wall of Shrinathji's inner sanctum.
Steps leading up to the marble veranda are covered with a
chequered carpet of green grass and (red) rose petals.
Small lamps are set afloat in the four ponds of the
garden. Yellow wall hangings, various chequered canopies,
awnings and mirror studded pichvis complete the regal
setting. Silver gopies serve the lord with various fans,
chamars and the like.
Madan Mohanji joins the lord in the evening's revelries as
musicians play various instruments to entertain the divine
Lords. Set amid lotuses, glittering jewels and myriad of
twinkling lights, Lords of Nathadwara bring to life joys
of Rajput and Moughal courts.
Today in Shrinathji's and Navnit-Lal's haveli, the whole
scene is reminiscent of royal hunts when Imperial tents
were set amid beautiful groves. Refinements of courtly
life were enjoyed in a rustic/ rural setting.
Richly decorated awnings stirred in clear mountain air as
delicate glass chandeliers spilled pools of coloured light
amid silk carpets, cushions and bolsters. At Nathadwara,
such scenes are regularly brought back to life to
entertain the Divine Lords. |
