Manastambha

Manastambha (meaning column of honor) is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples. In north India, it is always topped by four Tirthankara images.^{[citation needed]}

A Jain temple represents the samosharana of the Lord Tirthankara. According to the Jain tradition, a lofty manastambha stands in front of the samosharana, which causes someone entering a samosharana, to shed his pride (Mana).

A monolithic manastambha is a standard feature in the Jain temples of Mudabidri. They include a statue of Brahmadeva on the top as a guardian yaksha.^[1]

Sopme of the well known Jain manastambhas are^[2]:

• Kirti Stambha of Chittor. The Vijay Stambha was inspired by this.
• Manastambhas of Devagarh
• Manastambhas of Mudabidri^[3]
• Manastambhas of Sravanabelagola^[4]
• Manastambha at Sammet Shikhar at Madhuvan

Manastambhas in South India are generally monolithic.

See also

• Tirthas
• Jain Temples

References

1. ^ 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
2. ^ http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/jainavoice/jainavoice16.htm MANASTAMBHA
3. ^ http://www.jaindharmonline.com/pilgri/mbidri.htm Moodabidri ( Mudabdri)
4. ^ http://www.mysoretourism.org/mahamastakabhisheka.htm CHANDRAGIRI (Chikkabetta)

External links

• Chittor and its Kirti Stambha
• Jaina Architecture in Northern India