© 2025 IJRAR May 2025, Volume 12, Issue 2 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138) IJRAR25B2986 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 299 A PAINTED SCROLL ON A WALL: MURALS OF A VAISHNAVA AKHARA OF BANARAS Kartik Tripathi Research Scholar School of Arts & Aesthetics Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India Abstract: The paper examines the fascinating murals within Sheetal Das Akhara, a Vaishnava akhara in Banaras' Assi region, highlighting the long-standing connection between akharas and the arts in India. These murals predominantly depict Vaishnava themes, focusing on the narratives of Ram and Krishnaleela. Employing stylistic analysis, the study explores the iconographic portrayal of deities, the integration of North Indian miniature painting techniques, and the influence of local folk traditions. The artistic style reflects the impact of Banaras' folk artists, who historically adorned local homes with their work. As a result, the murals exhibit a distinctive blend of miniature artistry and folk-inspired expression. Introduction: Akharas are generally known as a training place for various kinds of sports related to physical prowess and fitness. These include wrestling (Kushti) exercise (Vyayam), stick practice, sword practice, etc. However, the Akharas are also popular places for cultural and religious training. They emerge as a training ground for some popular activities, such as performance (religious), medicine, and music (classical and folk). 1 Akharas are religious institutions of the Hindu religion that relate to any cult, such as Vaishnava, Shaiva, etc., and perform many religious, sectarian, and ritualistic practices. For us, what is of special interest is that the walls of the Akharas carry paintings on the walls. In that sense, they are independent and spontaneous social sites which patronise different forms of social and cultural activities and behaviour and act as promoters of certain religious and cultural values within an economic system. There are many akharas in the city of different cults of the Hindu religion. One such Akhara is the Sheetal Das Akhara situated near Pushkar kunda, on the bank of the Asi River. It can be traced back to three to four hundred years, approximately. This Akhara is associated with the Vaishnava sect of the Bairagi tradition. Mahant Niranjandas has been its priest or mahant since 1994. The old name of this Akhara was ‘Bara Gudarji Akhara’ after its founder, Gudardasji. 2 There is a Shiva temple inside this Akhara, which has an inscription on a stone plaque informing us that this temple was built by Shivraj Vali and Daya Shankar, sons of Shambhunath Kayastha, the resident of Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, under the blessing of Mahant Janardan Das in Samvat 1988 or 1931. There is also a Lord Jagannath temple inside this Akhara. It is supposed that this temple was built by the charity and cooperation of the Maharaja of Rewa, who was the main supporter of this Akhara. The heavy, weighed bell is constituted of an alloy of eight kinds of metal, or Ashtadhatu, and is installed inside the akhara on a well-constructed plinth. This bell was donated by the Commander-in-Chief of Nepal, General Bhim Shamsher Jung Bahadur, to the then Mahant of this Akhara. A long strip of inscription is cast around the outer circumference of the bell, which reflects the details about the donor. The bell is in tattered condition now. 1 (Freitag 120) 2 (Nevill 240)