Janakpur Art - Paintings -
 
Maithil paintings were originally done on walls and on paper treated with cow-dung, with natural paints and pigments. These wall paintings were transient: rain destroyed the mud and the painted designs. There are three main types of traditional paintings: ‚khobar ghar‘, ‚aripana‘ and ‚gosain ghar‘ paintings. ‚Khobar ghar‘ paintings are elaborate paintings done on the walls of the nuptial chamber by the women of the bride’s family, caste and village just before the wedding. ‚Aripana‘ are ritual floor paintings women paint for the worship of the house deity, for rituals related to marriage and on specific sacred days according to the lunar calendar. ‚Gosain ghar‘ paintings decorate the walls of a room that houses the ‚kuladevata‘, or family deity.