TEXTILES
India: Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad
Vaghrie caste
Mata chandarvo (temple cloth for ceiling)
1957
Plain weave; Printed, hand blocked; Resist dyed, mordant resist; Painted
Cotton
4 yds. 1 in. x 4 yds. 9 3/4 in. (3.68 x 3.9 m)
Elizabeth Bayley Willis Collection, gift of Virginia and Prentice Bloedel
TC 58.1-592

The Mata Chandarvo, a canopy cloth, is used along with the Mata Pachedi for worship of the Mother Goddess in Gujarat. The three Mata Pachedis form the walls of an enclosure and the Mata Chandarvo creates the ceiling of this temporary, portable temple. The Mata Chandarvo is distinguished from the Mata Pachedi by its large square format and circular pattern. The circle is known as Ras Leela, where each gopi or cowherd girl is portrayed dancing with Lord Krishna. - - Label copy for Courtyard, Bazaar Temple, June 12 - July 25, 1982