A manastambha (Sanskrit for 'column of honor') 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
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Manastambha at Jain Center of Greater Phoenix (JCGP), Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Manasthamba at Ajmer Jain temple
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Manastambha at Lal Mandir
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See also
- Jain Temples
- Tirthas
References
Citations
- ^ "Tirthankaras: "Ford-Makers"". The Pluralism Project, Harvard University. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ Umakant P. Shah 1987, p. 11.
- ^ The Brahmadeva Pillars. An Inquiry into the Origin and Nature of the Brahmadeva Worship among the Digambara Jains, S. Settar , Artibus Asiae, Vol. 33, No. 1/2 (1971), pp. 17-38
- ^ MANASTAMBHA Archived 25 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Moodabidri ( Mudabdri)". Jaindharmonline.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ "CHANDRAGIRI (Chikkabetta)". Mysoretourism.org. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
Sources
- Shah, Umakant Premanand (1987), Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana: Jaina iconography, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 81-7017-208-X