Pichhwai (also pichwai, pichhavai, pichhvai, pechhavai etc), literally meaning 'that which hangs from the back' from the Sanskrit words "Pichh" means back and "wais" means hanging, are large devotional Hindu painted pictures, normally on cloth, which portray Krishna. They are mainly made to hang in Hindu temples of the Pushtimarg devotional tradition, especially the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, built around 1672. They are hung behind the idol of Shrinathji, a local form of Krishna and the centre of Pushtimarg worship, to depict his leelas. Aurangabad was another area associated with them. The purpose of pichhwais, other than artistic appeal, is to narrate tales of Krishna to the illiterate. Temples have sets with different images, which are changed according to the calendar of festivals celebrating the deity. Nathdwara painting covers these and similar works in other genres, especially Indian miniature paintings. Like the Pushtimarg tradition, they originated in the Deccan, but are now mainly associated with Western India. Style of Painting Iconography The main image portrayed in Pichhwai paintings is Shrinathji. This 700+ years old form of Krishna, is the presiding deity worshipped at the Shrinathji Temple with many paintings showing the rituals and worship offered to the deity in the temple. Modern pichhwais may also portray other forms of Krishna worshipped in the Pushtimarg tradition such as Dwarkadish, the presiding deity at the Dwarkadish Temple. Whilst these paintings focus on Shrinathji, paintings often depicts other deities in the tradition such as Yamunaji, Goswamis such as Vallabhacharya and other priests. Themes Pichhwais have two main functions within the Pushtimarg Sampradaya. Ones used as backdrops on the inner sanctums in the shrines, they are changed daily and are designed in accordance to the season, festival and rituals of that day. Other pichhwais are artists documentation of the worship in the faith. Each festival and ritual within the faith is an elaborate affair with a pichhwai showcasing the adornment, emotions, mood, music, food and dancing that encompasses the worship. With daily worship of Shrinathji having 8 different formal viewings, pichhwais may often depict the eight different adornments associated with each viewing. Festivals such as Govardhan Puja, Sharad Purnima, Raslila, Holi alongside other prominent festivals in Pushtimarg are depicted with vivid detail on the modes of worship and the items used. These Pichwais often also as a historical documentation on how and who participated in these festival throughout the doctrine's history. History of