Manastambha
Holy pillar in Jain temples
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In Jainism, a manastambha (from Sanskrit 'column of honour') is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples or large Jain statues. In North India, they are topped by four Tirthankara images.[1]
According to the Digambara Jain texts like Adi Purana and Tiloyapannati, a huge manastambha stands in front of the samavasarana (divine preaching hall) of the tirthankaras, which causes someone entering a samavasarana to shed their pride.[2]
A monolithic manastambha is a standard feature in the Jain temples of Moodabidri. They include a statue of Brahmadeva on the top as a guardian yaksha.[3]
Examples
Some of the well known Jain manastambhas are:[4]
- Kirti Stambha of Chittorgarh. The Vijaya Stambha was inspired by this.
- Manastambhas of Devagarh
- Manastambhas of Moodabidri[5]
- Manastambhas of Shravanabelagola[6]
- Manastambha at Shikharji at Madhuvan
Manastambhas in South India are generally monolithic.
Photo gallery
Kirti Stambha of Hutheesing Jain Temple
Kirti Stambha at Chittorgarh fort
Manastambha at Shri Mahavirji Temple, Rajasthan, India
Manastambha at Tijara Jain Temple, Rajasthan, India
Manastambha at Jain Center of Greater Phoenix (JCGP), Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Manastambha at Saavira Kambada Basadi, Moodbidri, Karnataka, India
Desur Jain temple and Manastambha at Desur, Tiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Manasthamba at Ajmer Jain temple
Manastambha at Lal Mandir
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