Elevation of the black stone arch, ca. 1820 - ca. 1822.

Company style painting.

The arch is covered with figures of Vaishnavite gods and hung with rings. A crowd of Hindus are celebrating the festival of the Dol Jatra or Swing festival in which the image of Vishnu and his consort are swung in a throne suspendeed by chains from the rings of the arch.

The celebration is part of the Holi festival and takes place at the full moon of the month of Phalguna (February to March).

Text and image credit:
Copyright: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017