Manastambha

Manastambha "column of honor" is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples. In North India, they are topped by four tirthankara images.[1]

A Jain temple represents the samavasarana of the tirthankaras. According to the Jain tradition, a lofty manastambha stands in front of the samosharana, which causes someone entering a samavasarana to shed their pride.

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.[2]

Examples

Some of the well known Jain manastambhas are:[3]

Manastambhas in South India are generally monolithic.

Photo Gallery

See also

References

  1. http://www.pluralism.org/religion/jainism/introduction/tirthankaras
  2. 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
  3. MANASTAMBHA
  4. "Moodabidri ( Mudabdri)". Jaindharmonline.com. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  5. "CHANDRAGIRI (Chikkabetta)". Mysoretourism.org. Retrieved 2012-04-21.

External links