| Indian quite often intended as a means of religious | | | | minarets, which look like slender towers, at each |
| expression. Both Buddhism and Islam are common | | | | corner of the surrounding space of the Taj Mahal. The |
| religions in India and because of this, art is often found | | | | three various levels of the minarets correspond with |
| that represents both of these religions. I am particularly | | | | the tombs, symbolically creating a bond between them. |
| enamored with the sculptural pieces in Indian art. The | | | | At the top of each minaret sits a chattri, or pavilion. In |
| Bodhisattva Avaolokiteshvara is an example of Indian | | | | traditional Indian palaces, Chattri were a common |
| sculpture originating from the Buddhist religion and the | | | | architectural feature. Chattri have their roots in the |
| Taj Mahal is a and example of Indian architecture that | | | | Islamic religion. Minarets also originate from the Islamic |
| originates more from the Islamic tradition. These two | | | | tradition. They were meant to be such a great height |
| pieces are dramatically different in size and scale, | | | | that they caused all the Islamic people to be called to |
| however the forms have many similarities. | | | | prayer. The overall structure of the Taj Mahal is very |
| The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, India. It was created | | | | curvilinear and has a certain fluidity about it. Another |
| in the Mughal period under the reign of Shah Jahan. It | | | | work of Indian art that mimics the curvilinear lines of |
| was constructed around 1632-1648 A.D. It is located on | | | | the Taj Mahal is the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. |
| the bank of the Yamuna River, which is located on the | | | | The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is from Kurkihar, |
| Northern side of India. It was origianally created to be a | | | | Bihar, in Central India. It is a piece from the late |
| mausoleum for the wife of Shah Jahan, who ruled | | | | medieval period. It originates from the Pala dynasty, in |
| between 1628 and 1658. Shah Jahan himself was said | | | | the 12th century AD. It is crafted in gilt-bronze and sits |
| to have been apart of some of the decisions behind | | | | approximately 10 inches high. It is currently housed in |
| the construction of the Taj Mahal. | | | | the Patna Museum in Patna. |
| To get to the TaJ Mahal, you first arrive at a grand | | | | A Bodhisattva is an individual who is advanced on the |
| gate to the complex. As you enter the gate, the tomb | | | | path to enlightenment in the beliefs of the Buddhism. |
| stands before the viewer. There is a large garden and | | | | The goal of Mahayana Buddhists was to help anyone |
| a reflecting pool. The garden is 1000 feet by 1900 feet | | | | they encountered achieve the path to enlightenment. |
| and it is divided in to four sections, each of them filled | | | | Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of the greatest |
| with plantings of trees and flowers. Around each | | | | compassion. Avolokiteshvara vowed to forgo |
| garden are walkways that are maid up of inlaid stone | | | | buddahood until everyone else became buddhas. He |
| that forms geometric patterns. | | | | was one of the most populat bodhisattvas because of |
| When the Taj Mahal was first constructed, the | | | | this. |
| walkways were lined with fruit trees and cypresses, | | | | In the statue of Avolokiteshvara, he is shown by his |
| which were meant to symbolize life and death. There | | | | princely garments, instead of being dressed like |
| were also fountains in the shallow pools. Court | | | | Buddha who is always depicted wearing a standard |
| musicians would have filled the space, making it a very | | | | monk'Äôs robe. Avolokiteshvara is |
| magical space. | | | | specifically recognized by the lotus flower he holds and |
| At the back of the garden is the tomb. On the sides of | | | | by the crown of his parent Buddha. The parent |
| the tomb is a mosque and a building which looks | | | | Buddha of Avolokiteshvara is Amitabha Buddha, from |
| identical to the mosque and is used as a resting hall. | | | | the Western Pure Land, which was the Buddhist |
| Both of these buildings sit on the same base as the | | | | version of paradise. |
| tomb and seem to visually balance out the mass of | | | | Avolokiteshvara is also depicted with three eyes, |
| the tomb itself. The buildings themselves are made up | | | | which is meant to say that he had the ability to see in |
| primarily of red sandstone. The large central tomb, on | | | | miraculous ways. In the pose that Avolokiteshvara |
| the other hand, is made up of white marble, which | | | | takes in this statue, he is shown in a relaxed posture |
| really shines next to the red sandstone buildings that | | | | known as the royal pose. One leg is slightly |
| flank it. | | | | outstretched and points downwards and the other leg |
| The tomb sits on its own base. Like the tomb, the | | | | is folded into his lap and rests on the lotus seat, which |
| base of the tomb is made of white marble. The whole | | | | is considered an emblem of spiritual purity. His torso |
| structures of the tomb is raised higher then the other | | | | creates a curved fluid line and his arms are somewhat |
| buildings on its marble platform. There are four | | | | bent and also have a certain fluidity about them. |