Designs and patterns from Taj Mahal interiors

Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, is strikingly beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. Here are some of the designs and motifs from inside of the Taj Mahal.

Various methods were used to decorate the walls and doors and domes. Paint, stucco, stone inlays, patterned tiles as well as carvings were used. As Islam does not allow human or animal forms, decorative calligraphy and abstract, geometric or plant patterns and motifs were used. The method depended on the surface of the area to be decorated.

White inlays were used in on red sandstone buildings and dark or black inlays on the white marble backgrounds. At times designs were created using contrasting paints, creating geometric designs.

Motifs of plants and flowers were used to create intricate designs above doorways and arches.

On floors contrasting tiles or blocks created striking patterns.

Here is an example of a ceiling of a dome of a sandstone building where the   incised art (cut into the surface) created intricate geometric patterns.

Marble was carved into pretty flowery shapes.

These are the two huge marble doors/windows at the Taj. The photo is taken from the outside.

The painstaking work involved becomes clear when one sees the enormity of the Taj Mahal and the various arches, doorways, ceilings and floors which were decorated.

In the pictures below two different designs from different areas have been included in one image.

In the picture below the design on the left is a close-up of the marble design seen in an image above. The dark metallic pattern on the right is part of a doorway.

The brown and black design on the left is a close-up of the geometric pattern used to decorate the marble. The sandstone slab on the right shows flowers and leaves with a geometric border on a red background.

Here again are close-ups of two different designs. The first image is a part of a wall, at the bottom of it, and looks like a high ledge. The image below that  is a marble design on the wall of the Taj.

For pictures of the outside/exterior of the Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal at Agra

or Red Fort at Agra or the Agra Fort - Photographs or Taj Mahal Sketch and Silhouettes

For more examples of Islamic Art: Designs from the Red Fort Agra or Agra Fort

or Designs from the Blue Mosque, Istanbul or The Great Mosque of Xian, China

Photo credits:  Pur-pler

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The Great Mosque of Xian, China

The Great Mosque of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China is more than a thousand years old. The uniqueness of the mosque is that its architectural style is Chinese, not Arabic. There are some Arabic inscriptions on the walls, but the main style of the mosque reflects the Chinese culture. It is rare because religions often kill the indigenous culture of the people.

As the first photograph shows, the mosque does not have domes or minarets. The archway is made of wood.

Its a huge mosque, with four courtyards over an area of more than 12,000 square meters. The photograph below also reflects Chinese designs, art and architecture, with Chinese pavilions with their painted beams.

This gives you a close-up of the door-way and the inscriptions in Arabic can be seen clearly. There are designs on the doorway as well.

There are doorways within doorways and in the picture below there is a close-up of one of the inscriptions (in gold) in what seems to be Arabic. Some Arabic lettering can be seen on the pillars as well.

The long decorated window in the image below shows a spectacular design of tiny flowers and petals. Some designs are seen at the top of the long window and also at the bottom. Red and green paint (which seems to be wearing off) can be seen. However, the window has been painted fairly recently. This is common in  many places in China. Ancient buildings and artifacts have been touched up by the Chinese government. This makes it lose its authenticity but it looks good.

This last photograph is one side of a pillar at the Great Mosque. It appears to be an inscription on a black background.

Related Viewing: If you want to see more Islamic Art try this post: Designs from the Blue Mosque, Istanbul or Designs from the Red Fort Agra or Agra Fort or for the exterior of the mosque at Istanbul check this one: The Blue Mosque at Istanbul
For ancient Chinese architecture: Chinese style architecture sketches of the Forbidden City

Artisans in India

These are artisans working at an artwork in the Taj Mahal, Agra. They are probably copying an existing artwork from the walls of the tomb. You can see the elaborate carvings around.

Although the colours in these pictures are not very good, the picture clarity is good. You will be able to see the detail. Here you can see the design on the walls more clearly. It does look like the artist is creating an imitation.

Beautiful design adorn the walls of the Taj Mahal. A post on Taj Mahal designs is in the pipeline.

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Designs from the Red Fort Agra or Agra Fort

Here are some photographs of the designs, motifs, and patterns from Agra Fort, and the original building is more than a thousand years old. It is UNESCO World Heritage site, a few kms from the Taj Mahal. The fort is huge, and more like a walled city. It is the most important fort in India. These are just a glimpse of some of the beautiful patterns and designs of the architecture of this massive fort.

The first photograph is of a piece carved out of marble on top of an indoor doorway.

Many of the window designs on the pillars in the photo below are faded, but one can imagine what they must have looked like at one time, with their colors intact.

The image below showcases a part of the high ceiling design in one of the rooms.

The photograph below did not come out well, a pencil drawing of the same design has been made. That shows the pattern more clearly.

The photographs below show the striking marble balcony railings/parapets.

You can see the intricate patterns below the marble railing in the top and bottom part of the photo.

Here you can see the typical hexagon design on a railing near the green lawn.

This is a design on the parapet.

(These photos are courtesy Purpl-er)

Related Images: Designs and patterns from Taj Mahal interiors or Taj Mahal Sketch and Silhouettes or Balcony and railing designs of old Pune houses or wadas

Actual photos of The Taj Mahal at Agra or Red Fort at Agra or the Agra Fort - Photographs
Or simply Silhouettes of Mosques

If you are looking for a sample of Islamic art from Turkey try this post: Designs from the Blue Mosque, Istanbul or The Great Mosque of Xian, China

Ajanta Temple Paintings and Murals from Cave 2

These are photographs of murals and paintings from Cave No. 2 of the Rock Caves of Ajanta, near Aurangabad, which are fairly well preserved. The style of Art is called Ajanta. Ajanta Art comprises of different styles from different periods of time, from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. These paintings influenced Art in India for many centuries.

Decorative themes using both animals, plants and humans have been used.

The first image is of art on the ceiling at the entrance to the Cave. Engravings can be seen on the doorway.

The depiction of Buddha is visible on the top of the doorway.

Considering that in ancient times there were not paint brushes as such, and artists used just twigs and animal hair, or painted by hand, the results are quite brilliant!

These last two pictures are a glimpse of a wall mural inside the cave. It was quite dark inside and a dim light was shining on the beautiful canvas on the wall.

This is a painted pillar from the cave. Sculptured decoration at the top and bottom of the pillar are also visible. Remnants of blue paint can be seen on the flower design.

This last painting was lying in the office where restoration work was going on. Am not sure where it came from or whether it is original Ajanta or just a copy.

More images of Buddha: Golden Buddha Statue or photos of Buddha statues, frescoes and sculptures at Ajanta Caves or photos of Paintings and Murals from Cave 1 of Ajanta
For pencil drawings of Buddha: Sketches and drawings of Buddha or simply click on the label Ajanta.

For images from Ellora try these posts: Kailashnath Temple at Ellora or Ellora Temples sculpted exteriors or or simply click on the label Ellora.

Paintings and Murals from Cave 1 of Ajanta

These are photographs of murals and paintings from Cave No. 1 of the Rock Caves of Ajanta, near Aurangabad. Many modern designs, drawings and patterns are based on this ancient work, and the style is called Ajanta Art. Ajanta Art comprises of different styles from different periods of time, from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. These paintings influenced Art in India for many centuries.

There are 31 caves cut out of rock, dating back to the second century BC. Cave 1 depicts scenes from the life of Buddha. There are sculptures and frescoes as well as paintings, but in this post I am showing mostly pictures of the ornate ceiling and wall murals.

These pictures are from Cave 1. Paintings from Cave 2 and also sculptures are in other posts, links to which are below this post.

This spot is a World Heritage site.

These paintings are Buddhist in origin and narrate tales from the life of the Buddha and his teachings. They are found on the walls and on the ceiling of the caves. Naturally,  colors have faded and tourists are not allowed to use the flash. The lighting is also dim, to preserve the colours. Getting sharp photos were almost impossible with the camera I had, a Canon digital.

The bluish green is not a colour cast, but the actual light in the caves, and it has something to do with preserving the paintings. One can only imagine how breathtaking these caves must have been before they vanished from all human contact for hundreds of years.

The light in these caves is very dim, and the ancient ones had no electricity. How did they draw such intricate paintings on the walls and ceilings of the rock caves? Well, they found an ingenious way out. There are long narrow water canals on the floor of the caves, and these enhanced the limited light.

These caves were tucked away deep in the jungle and that is why Mughal invaders did not find them. They remained, and are a feast for our eyes today. More information on this cave is given here.

For more images of Buddha try this post: Golden Buddha Statue  and for pencil drawings of Buddha: Sketches and drawings of Buddha

Other related images: Ajanta Temple Paintings and Murals from Cave 2 or check out the sculpted art of Ajanta here: Buddha statues, frescoes and sculptures at Ajanta Caves or simply click on the label Ajanta.

For images from Ellora try these posts: Kailashnath Temple at Ellora or Ellora Temples sculpted exteriors or simply click on the label Ellora.