It is one of India's biggest scientific missions, Chandraayan, the mission to the moon and leading up to the launch of the rocket.

But India's fascination with the moon is not just limited to Chandrayaan. The moon has inspired art, literature and music over centuries. Pichwais, a form of art from south Rajasthan specialises in Krishna Leela, depiction of which is incomplete without the moon in its full form. No Krishna painting is considered complete without the moon as a motif symbolising love and longing between the devotee and his lord.

The yearning for the moon has been reflected in all cultural forms whether it is in legends, myths, songs or folklore, the moon is a symbol that appears again and again in our collective sub conscious.

It's a brush with nature and divinity. Six generations of Hari Narayan's family have created Pichwais on the fascinating saga of Lord Krishna or Shrinathji as he is called in Nathadwara. But Hari's personal favourite are the Pichwais celebrating Krishna's divine dance with the gopis on the full moon night of Sharad Purnima.

"The moon is cool in nature and Krishna has the same serene temperament. And when we paint Krishna and Radha together on a full moon night and depict their divine love, the joy we get is incomparable," said Hari Narayan, Pichwais, artist, Nathdwara.

Hand painted Pichwais of artists like Hari have splendidly told Krishna's life story for over 300 years. Made on cotton or silk each Pichwais creates the mood of a specific season or festival. In Indian mythology Krishna incorporates all the 16 kalas or elements of divinity. Similarly the waning and waxing moon has 16 phases and each of these is reflected vividly in the Pichwayi tradition.

"On a moonlit night the Maha-Raas of Krishna and the Gopis on the banks of river Yamuna creates divine feelings. And the Pichwai artists have depicted these holy sentiments very powerfully"said Chandramani Singh, art historian.

Besides their religious significance Pichwais are among the finest examples of art on textile. Given the beauty with which they bring alive Vrindavan on full moon nights it's no surprise that local legends claim that viewing a Pichwai transports the devotee into the era of Lord Krishna.