Ancient city gates – those gigantic entryways, patiently clocking the footfalls of generations – hold a special fascination for me.
Set into heavy fortifications or floating on water, these gates were more than mere access points. Most were hubs of trade, places where city edicts were read out and hangings executed.
Some were symbolic and exclusive, based on cultural perceptions of purity. The right to cross those thresholds was determined by social standing or royal privilege.
But they were all, without exception, works of art. Declarations of the wealth and importance of the city state.
So they fascinate me, thrill me with the anticipation of discovering what lies beyond…….even if all that remains is just a frame, or a pile of stones.
Come walk with me through these portals to the past.
Commoners were not allowed on the island for the longest time, and were expected to pass through the Otorii to worship at the shrine, whose floating structures ensured, these people stepped through a transitional threshold – between land and sky – thus safeguarding the sanctity of the sacred island from ‘defilement’!
Related articles:
Jake’s Sunday Post: Entrance
Crossing Thresholds
The Grand Gate On The Sea
The Urge To Wander 
There are so many wonderful places in the world to see. I think I am going to run out of time.
Me too Debra 🙂
Oh but you do things in style, Madhu! I’ve never seen a photo of the gate in the walls of Cairo before- looks interesting! But the standout shot has to be the Japanese shrine on the water. I love it!
Yes the Otorii is magnificent. Cairo has several beautiful Fatimid gates (this is the only one left on the South wall) and the views from the minarets of this particular one are supposed to be magical. We passed because I was battling joint pain from a drug reaction.
What a beautiful collection of gates you have here Madhu. You show them so wonderfully. Such good fortune you have living near that part of the world.
Strangely the images from Asia – excluding China – are from last year. until then we did more trips to the West than to places closer to home! Glad you liked my gallery Emily 🙂
Thank you so much for taking us through these triumph gate into its history!
Glad you could join me Amy…….thank YOU 🙂
When we walk through doors – what new adventures of discovery awaits us. Thank you Madhu, for this collection.
Thank you for reading Eric 🙂
Beautiful gates. The one that speaks to me the post is that of Preah Ko, amazing to me that the remains stand since the 8th century! I find it beautiful.
I love that one too Angeline, although the Luxor and Mycenae gates are very much older. It really is fascinating to see the evolution of temple architecture in the region over a period of 500 years!
Oh happy recollections (and introductions – especially the tunnel-like arches at Fushimi Inari) … Madhu, your splendid collection sent me off on a different journey, leaving through these gates (from the mostly familiar) out into the unknown. At first that felt a little lonely, a little scary, but then the wonder of possibility opened up before me and I felt excited – as we always do – about the adventures ahead of me. The difference, I understand now, is that instead of stoking the fires of anticipation by busily preparing for my trip and learning about my destination, I must first bid farewell to my Paradise island – to let go – before I can turn around and enter my new life from the beyond.
I tell you, it’s spooky the number of unintentionally pertinent posts I’ve been finding these last few days!
These are after all symbols of transition Meredith…..”Frames and monuments to our spent time”. I wish you an easy farewell and many happy adventures across the threshold 🙂 And an equally easy transition for the Misses Kotte 🙂
Beautiful Madhu. I agree with you, however, my greatest fascination is of a people that created these portals of the past/monuments of times and great knowledge lost. A people with a hidden secret to how they created such things without modern equipment we have today. Yet some of it can’t be duplicated by modern technology and machinery. Thank you Madhu. 😉
I am running out of words to describe your beautiful photography and the way you showcase them…be they of bridges or gateways…or your neighborhood. Top Notch,
My favorite is the Grand Gate in the water but they all unique and as you said…works of art.
Wonderful post. Would love to go through all those gates someday. 🙂
http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
This is really a beautiful series of photos, Madhu. I particularly loved the shrine in the water.
Absolutely stunning Madhu! Thanks for yet another lovely and interesting tour. I do so love all those gates. Thanks for sharing hon. *hugs*
Fabulous photos of entrances to some of the most amazing places on earth, Madhu. I’ve been to 8 out of your 14. 🙂
I like the idea behind this post…lovely photographs too..
Magnificent structures all of them!
@Madhu, fantastic ‘Gates’. Nice collections 😀
Magical portals…
🙂
In the archetypal vision, these “gates” represent man’s desire to find the passage “beyond the vision”, a kind of mystical door that connects the parallel worlds!
Beautiful pictures, dear Madhu, which got perfectly into the idea of the colossal potential of human jorney, represented here by wonderfully valuable and impressive artifacts. :-)claudine
a magnificent collection of gates madhu, thank you for your thoughts on their importance, your words lead us into meditations on life through the ages and the rise and fall of civilisation 🙂
I only recognise Jerash. How bad is that haha?
I love ancient gateways and entrances too, Madhu – and you have captured so many of them here, beautifully. Well done!
Terrific collection, Madhu! I like Angkor Thom the best.
Loved the Grand Gate on the water. Your photos are all amazing.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Enchanting as ever, Madhu.
Very interesting written and such amazing photos… 🙂
– they fascinate me too… 🙂
Some great gates …. That Grand Gate is stunning. I think an adventure wait on the other side of every one of those gates.
And, yes, indeed my dear dost – I did walk the path with you – through this beautiful photo-essay. I am catching up to your posts as I am in-and-out of blogging – your post (as all your posts) instantly adds a smile on my face.
Madhu, you were made to photograph – through your lens – I see parts of the world I have yet to see but have seen through you. Lots of love.
I always look forward to your slideshows, Madhu and this one didn’t disappoint
I like the way you do themes of pictures from different parts of the world. There is something mystical about gates, the way they can both allow passage or block it.
What an incredible collection of gateways, Madhu. How interesting to compare their visual language. An absorbing post, thank you.
No words to describe how beautiful these pictures look. Each one is different and unique and gorgeous!
The experiences and memories you have, not to mention the countless fabulous photos of all of your travels, is priceless Madhu. With every photo you capture the vibe of the region and your prose transports me back in time. Your blog is such a joy to visit. 🙂
Ufffff… Una Impresionante Serie, La De La Puerta Del Mar Es Muy Buena… Un Saludo.
Hanno un fascino particolare le antiche porte. Chi ne esce si apre al nuovo, per chi entra è l’annuncio di quel che sarà. Porte aperte, porte di comunicazione, punti di scambio tra le persone.
The gates do entice, Madhu. I couldn’t wait to pass thru them and see what awaits.
Goodness Madhu…so many !! Each one is a work of art.
Wonderful photos, Madhu. You are so blessed to visit so many beautiful places. I love the way you called the gateways ‘portals to the past’. I can feel your sense of anticipation. Fabulous!! Maybe you’ll post some photos of what you saw on the other sides? Bless you, dear friend.
I don’t go enough places. I really enjoy reading about your adventures.
Judy
Wonderful mental imagery to set the stage for your photo tour.
Nice idea. There is something very majestic and imposing about the gates in these pictures.
Thanks Madhu 🙂
Wonderful examples!
good concept about gates. i remember my days in delhi with ajmeri gate, kashmiri gate etc.
Wonderful collection of gate photos! They have so much character and personality.
So many fabulous entrances Madhu. The Angkor Thom is my favourite.
Entering so many majestic, historic, mystical, celebrated gates —
Has to have entered into you, and changed you.
A privileged experience.
Hi Madhu,
There is so much in the world to see..I love to travel but time and situation and other factors doesn’t permit me to travel..You are so lucky to visit different countries.Hoping to travel with you by clicking follow 🙂
Madhu … I nominated this post for the Best Moment Award. The rules and my comments can be found on my blog: http://earth-rider.com/2013/06/20/thank-you-thank-you/ In the future, if it’s OK with you, I’m going to follow your example on recognizing awards. I procrastinate far too long and your solution is terrific.
Honoured to receive an award from you Judy….thanks once again.
You are most welcome to use the awards showcase page format. I borrowed the idea from someone too 🙂
Thank you, Madhu. I do love to pass on an award, but it became so daunting that I just kept putting it off. Your awards page is a thoughtful way to showcase awards.
Loved it. After looking at these beautiful architectural works, I just wonder about how it was back when they were built. Nice writing! 🙂