Pilgrimage Route for the River Alakananda, from Haridwar to Badrinath in Garhwal, India, Garhwal, early 18th century, Cloth, painted, On loan from the Marshall & Marilyn R. Wolf Collection, Toronto, LI2021.30.2

Pilgrimage Route for the River Alakananda, from Haridwar to Badrinath in Garhwal, India, Garhwal, early 18th century, Cloth, painted, On loan from the Marshall & Marilyn R. Wolf Collection, Toronto, LI2021.30.2

This monumental map follows India’s Ganges River and one of its sources, the Alakananda, from the point of view of a Hindu pilgrim travelling from one shrine to the next, following the path of the rivers from left to right. Beginning at Devprayag, where the rivers meet, we pass villages, temples, pilgrim hostels, and shrines, including the famous Narasimha Temple at Joshimath where Hindu priests would bring treasures from other shrines to avoid the harsh winter.

The Marshall & Marilyn R. Wolf Collection

early 18th century

Photography credits:

LI2021.30.2

India, Garhwal