The Prince of Wales's Tour of India in 1875-6
Albert Edward's tour aimed to strengthen ties between the two countries
कृष्ण रुक्मिणी विवाह The Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini
late eighteenth centuryRCIN 1005113.w
In Bombay, the Prince was invited to the home of Mangaldas Nathubhai to attend the wedding of his two sons. Here he was presented with three albums of Indian manuscript paintings, many of which depict the avatars of the Hindu god, Vishnu. At the wedding Russell was astonished with the quantity of flowers decorating Nathubhai’s house where the wedding was taking place: 'the scene [was] overpowering; nor did any who entered escape the be-wreathment and garlanding, which form part of all ceremonies, the Prince being especially festooned with the choicest’.
This manuscript painting from one of the albums shows the marriage of Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu) and Rukmini, conducted by moon- and starlight in a palace courtyard.