Jagannatha in Padma Shringara

In this horizontal panel, the three deities - Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are depicted. The design is associated with a pre-Aryan tribal origin. The totem-like appearance of Sri Jagannath, as it is represented on iconographic paintings, is a pointer to this direction. The formless images of the three are generously decorated with lotus garlands, so much so that even the crowns are blooming lotus flowers. In between the floral fiesta appear four circles with symbolic attributes.

The niche where the idols are placed is rectangular, in order to accommodate the three images. A circular inverted dome hangs down as decoration. At the feet of the deities, swans are painted by the artist. He closes in the images with colourful borders, in accordance with the rest of the painting.

This description by Renu Rana.