Large painted cloths, known as pichhwais, were crafted to hang behind the main image in a temple. This particular textile was created for the Festival of Cows (Gopashtami), which takes place in late autumn to celebrate Krishnaโs progression from a herder of calves to a cowherd. The piece features a variety of cows and playful calves scattered across a flower-strewn field.
The indigo background and extensive use of gold and silver are characteristic of pichhwais produced for a community of Shrinathji devotees who relocated to the Deccan during this period.