Krishna is a major deity from the ancient Sanskrit texts and is prevalent in many forms of Hinduism. Krishna’s significance varies, though he’s an extremely prominent God and is often associated with one of the incarnations of Vishnu. Other traditions consider Krishna to be the Supreme Being, or the svayam bhagavan. While Goa is an extremely diverse city, and is open and respectful of various religions and lifestyle orientations, it also has a major Hindu population and various aspects of the religion can be found throughout the city’s culture. Tourists who stay in the best hotels Goa are sure to take note of this in the many landmarks, and architectural aspects of the city.
Krishna is frequently depicted in paintings and other art as a small boy playing the flute. Other times he is depicted as a youthful prince who is giving spiritual guidance and support to others. These depictions are a reflection of Krishna’s representation in the texts Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita. Various stories of this deity are found throughout history and the major Hindu sacred texts. Two other major sacred texts in which he appears are the Mahabharata and the Harivamsa . He has many archetypal characterizations, such as the prankster, the hero, and the model lover. The earliest manifestations of Krishna date back to the 4th century BCE. Devotion of him is not limited to Hinduism and is also found in Buddhism and Jainism. Krishna is easily recognized by his standard physical depictions. He is often portrayed as black or very dark in color and often in modern representations he is blue. Most often he is shown wearing a yellow silk dhoti with peacock headgear. When he is depicted playing the flute, he is often accompanied by cows, which reflects his status as the divine herdsman. When he is portrayed in temples, he is often depicted in a more formal pose standing upright. He may be portrayed alone, or with other figures.