Taj Mahal - Main Gateway

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The main gateway of Taj Mahal is additional feature, such as the dome and tomb room, exhibiting momentous Hindu motifs on the Taj Mahal. It is an impressively tall niche doorway in the shape of an ogival arch, and is half the elevation of the complete Taj Mahal. Similar to Taj Mahal as a whole, the gateway has vertical symmetry. Above the sloping sides of the niche are interlaced flowers, leaves, and vines formed by semi-precious stones inlaid in the marble, the predominance being red lotus flowers. They are idealized and a sculpt of perfection in nature. Arabic inscription of verses from the Qu'ran made of black stone border the gateway. Situated above the pointed tip of the niche is the image of a white teardrop in which is a red trident. At the time of its creation, this frontal gateway functioned as the main entrance into the Taj Mahal.

The gateway is a formation that is of great significance because of its function and size as compared to the whole structure. The fact that the flowers, vines, and leaves are twisting and idealized rather than geometric proves that they have had a Hindu influence on them. The flowers themselves are, for the majority, red lotus flowers, a Hindu pattern representing Brahma the Creator, and commonly found on Hindu temples (Symbols We Live With). In conclusion, the white teardrop containing a red trident is found on most Hindu temples because it is a sign of Lord Shiva Ganesha Statues.) The great presence of these Hindu patterns on the front gateway of the Taj Mahal as well as on other divisions of the structure suggests that the Taj Mahal is as much a Hindu memorial as it is an Islamic mausoleum. Other parts of the Taj Mahal that holds Hindu themes as well are the dome and the tomb room