Manastambha

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Wikipedia

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]

Manastambhas in South India are generally monolithic.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "Tirthankaras: "Ford-Makers"". The Pluralism Project, Harvard University. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  2. ↑ Umakant P. Shah 1987, p. 11.
  3. ↑ 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
  4. ↑ "Manastambha". Jaina Voice. 2 (4). August 2003. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006 – via Jain Heritage Centres.
  5. ↑ "Moodabidri (Mudabdri)Jain Temples". Jaindharmonline.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  6. ↑ "Welcome to Mahamastakabhisheka - Chandragiri (Chikkabetta)". Mysoretourism.org. Archived from the original on 23 September 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2012.

Sources