Interior of the Madan Mohan Temple - 1815

Watercolour of the interior of the Madan Mohan temple at Brindaban from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Tughlikabad to Secundra Vol. VIII' produced for Lord Moira, afterwards the Marquess of Hastings, by Sita Ram between 1814-15. Marquess of Hastings, the Governor-General of Bengal and the Commander-in-Chief (r.1813-23), was accompanied by artist Sita Ram (flourished c.1810-22) to illustrate his journey from Calcutta to Delhi between 1814-15.

Interior view of the Madan Mohan temple at Brindavan. Brindaban (Vrindavan) on the banks of the river Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. Vrindavan is closely linked to the legend of Krishna and a pilgrimage site for Hindus, like Mathura located a few kilometres away. It was in the forests of Vrindavan that the youthful cowherd Krishna sported with milkmaids. It has several bathing ghats (stepped embankments) leading down to the river and overlooked by temples. The Madan Mohan temple dates from the 16th century. The octoganal tower, which extends more than 20 metres is similar to the tower of the nearby Jagat Kishore temple. Though the inscription titles this illustration as the 'Govind Takoor,' this view is of the Madan Mohan temple. Inscribed below: 'Govind Takoor and Interior of the Mundel.'

Source : British Library