I have a special place in my heart for the Taj Mahal and have visited it more than 10 times since my childhood. Its timeless beauty and historical significance continue to captivate me. With each visit, I feel that life has chosen this location to reveal its secrets and lessons and this is what draws me back every time.
To see the Taj Mahal, one must pass through a grand gateway – the “Darwaza-i-Rauza”. While it appears to be a traditional entryway at first glance, it is far from it. Before entering it, it acts like a veil, concealing what lies beyond. It’s only upon crossing this threshold and walking through almost its entire length, which makes it feel more like a passage than a gateway, are the grandeur and magnificence of the Taj Mahal revealed.
Each time I stand in this gateway and behold the beautiful Taj, I find myself wondering what must have inspired and guided Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the architect, to design the Darwaza in this unique fashion. Why does it exist at all? Why does it stand between me and the Taj? Despite my numerous visits, the symbolism of this structure remains a compelling enigma to me.
Parallels with Life
However, I recently realised that it resembles the intricate journey of life itself. Just as the gateway separates me from the splendour of the Taj, life often presents barriers in the journey ahead and instead offers multiple paths to choose from, each holding their own lessons and revelations.
The Taj is a testament to eternal love. This architectural masterpiece stands as a symbol of grace, symmetry, and intricate craftsmanship. As light dances on its pristine marble facade, and whispers of history echo through its corridors, we cannot help but appreciate the profound beauty that exists and wonder what extraordinary opportunities and insights might be waiting for us, currently veiled by the mysteries and obstacles presented by life.
We need to go beyond
Imagine a closed door. It not only keeps potential opportunities out but also holds us in and restricts us from venturing into unchartered territories. Our mind often plays a similar role in these situations when we need to select one of the paths. It convinces us that the other side of the door or path is a vast, empty void. But in reality, how can we be certain of this if we do not cross the threshold? Merely unlocking the door isn’t enough either. To truly benefit from what lies beyond, we must be willing to take action, put in the effort, and courageously step through and traverse the entire length of the path, even when the destination is uncertain and shrouded in mystery.
The journey is as important as the destination
“If you think you’re meeting your destiny on the other side of a door, you may not be interested in its design.” – by the famous Italian architect, Ettore Sottsass
As individuals cross the Darwaza, their minds may be preoccupied with the anticipation of the grandeur that awaits them on the other side. In their haste to reach the destination, they may overlook the beauty and significance of the gateway itself which in its own right is an architectural marvel. Similarly, in life’s journey we often become fixated with the end goal, neglecting the value and significance of each step we take to meet them.
Why should scepticism be our default stance when facing the unknown? We often fail to see new opportunities because our own mental barriers cloud our vision. They act like a curtain drawn over a window. To uncover these opportunities, we must be prepared to push past our doubts, insecurities, and preconceptions, and walk through and beyond the doors that luck opens for us. And to do this, we need to have unwavering faith and belief in the possibilities that await us. This will help us navigate the uncertainties of life with the same positivity and excitement that we experience while crossing the Darwaza-i-Rauza.
In essence, we need to cultivate an open mindset and the courage to embrace the unknown. By being receptive to new possibilities, we can pave the way for our own growth, discovery, and transformation in life.