The art of Jal Sanjhi

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The Sanjhi is an ancient art of religious origin, which consists of creating drawings on the ground or on water using finely cut stencils that are filled with colored powders. Traditionally, this art depicts the mythological legends of India and especially those of Lord Krishna.

The creation of the religious Sanjhi is not merely a recreational drawing but is part of the 'Radha Krishna Bhakti', ie the expression of love and devotion for Lord Krishna and Radha, and for the divine in general. The process of the making of the drawing is a form of meditation in itself offering a real moment of introspection; The Sanjhi looks very much like Buddhist mandalas.

For many centuries, this particular art has persisted within the community of Vaishnava priests in Mathura and Vrindavan, and it has slowly been forgotten. Luckily, some temples, in Vrindavan, Mathura and also in Rajasthan (see below), still continue to perpetuate this unique art.

A first layer of white powder is sprinkled gently on the water. Then a first stencil is placed on this white surface and filled with one or several colored powders. The first stencil is then gently removed revealing a first element of the final drawing, then a second stencil is placed over the first element and so on until the final drawing is complete.

This meticulous process can last up to 4 hours. A few hours later, the colors begin to dissolve in the water, symbol par excellence of the impermanence of life.