Gezicht op de Dilwara-tempels op berg Abu, India 1868 - 1900

This photograph captures the Dilwara temples on Mount Abu in India, taken by Lala Deen Dayal. The temple’s most striking feature is its dome, a prevalent symbol across cultures. Domes are often used to represent the cosmos and the heavens, reflecting the universe's perfect form. This symbolism stretches back to ancient Rome, where domes adorned structures like the Pantheon, signifying power and divine connection. The use of domes evolved through Byzantine architecture and into Islamic mosques, each adopting and adapting the symbol to their spiritual and cultural contexts. Here, the dome is more than just an architectural element; it is a visual echo resonating with humanity's enduring quest to understand and represent the divine, demonstrating how cultural memory and shared symbolic language connect diverse civilizations.