Main Gateway & Minarets of Taj Mahal

Height: 93 Ft High
Period of Construction: 1632-1638

The main gateway of Taj is as gorgeous as the tomb and the dome. It is built of massive sandstone; it is the southern entrance gate to the Taj Mahal complex. Entering into it one can have rough idea how much gorgeous the Taj would be.

The gateway of Taj seems like a building than a gate. At each corner of the state a tall tower with a domed kiosk stands. There are eleven small domed kiosks on the top of the gate. The decorations that adorn the gate are white marble, Arabic calligraphy from the Holy Quran and the floral design of precious stones. The doors also add beauty as they are made up of metals. The gate seems like a curtain as it blocks the view of Taj Mahal from outside. The beauty of Taj enhances more due to its hidden location. The architecture of this gateway is a fusion of size, majesty and beauty.

The Minarets of the Taj Mahal

The 40 meters tall four minarets of Taj Mahal catches the eyes of the viewers at first sight. Each minaret is located on each corner of the white marble plinth of the tomb building. The mosque actually needs one minaret but Shah Jahan erected four to keep the whole complex perfectly symmetrical. The height of the four minarets is equal to the height of the tomb, and erected slightly away from the plinth.