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A stambha (''tower'' in English) is a pillar or column found in India. In the context of
File:Tower_of_victory.jpg, Vijay Stambha at Chittorgarh fort
File:Hutessing Temple3 Ahmedabad.JPG, Kirti Stambh of
A stambha (''tower'' in English) is a pillar or column found in India. In the context of Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology is the body of myths and literature attributed to, and espoused by, the adherents of the Hindu religion, found in Hindu texts such as the Vedic literature, epics like ''Mahabharata'' and ''Ramayana'', the Puranas, and ...
, it is believed to be a cosmic column that functions as a bond, joining heaven (Svarga
Svarga (), also known as Indraloka and Svargaloka, is the celestial abode of the devas in Hinduism. Svarga is one of the seven higher lokas ( esoteric planes) in Hindu cosmology. Svarga is often translated as heaven, though it is regarded to b ...
) and earth (Prithvi
Prithvi or Prithvi Mata ( Sanskrit: पृथ्वी, ', also पृथिवी, ', "the Vast One") is the Sanskrit name for the earth, as well as the name of a devi (goddess) in Hinduism and some branches of Buddhism. In the Vedas, her ...
). A number of Hindu scriptures, including the ''Atharva Veda
The Atharva Veda (, ' from ' and ''veda'', meaning "knowledge") is the "knowledge storehouse of ''atharvāṇas'', the procedures for everyday life".Laurie Patton (2004), Veda and Upanishad, in ''The Hindu World'' (Editors: Sushil Mittal and G ...
'', feature references to Stambhas. In the ''Atharva Veda'', a celestial stambha has been described as an infinite scaffold, which supports the cosmos and material creation.
Stambhas are also found in Indian architecture
Indian architecture is rooted in its history, culture and religion. Among a number of architectural styles and traditions, the best-known include the many varieties of Hindu temple architecture, Indo-Islamic architecture, especially Mughal ...
. Different stambhas serve different purposes, including the following:
* Dhvaja Stambha (''Flagstaff Towers'') are placed opposite the main shrine, on an axis with the main deity.
* Kirti Stambha
Kirti Stambha is a 12th-century tower situated at Chittor Fort in Chittorgarh town of Rajasthan, India.
History
Chittor has a history going back several centuries. It was an ancient centre of Jain tradition. Chittor is adjacent to the an ...
(''Glorious Tower'') & Vijaya Stambha
The Vijaya Stambha is an imposing victory monument located within Chittor Fort in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India. The tower was constructed by the Hindu Rajput king Rana Kumbha of Mewar in 1448 to commemorate his victory over the army of Malwa ...
(''Victory Tower'') are erected to commemorate victories.
* The most well-known stambhas of India are the Ashoka Stambha ( Pillars of Ashoka) — erected during the reign of Ashoka
Ashoka (, ; also ''Asoka''; 304 – 232 BCE), popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was the third emperor of the Maurya Empire of Indian subcontinent during to 232 BCE. His empire covered a large part of the Indian subcontinent, s ...
, spread across the subcontinent, bearing different types of royal edicts.
* ''Adi Purana Adi or ADI may refer to:
Names and titles
* Adi (mythology), an Asura in Hindu faith who appears in the Matsya Purāṇa
* Adi (name), a given name in Hebrew and a nickname in other languages
* Adi (title), a Fijian title used by females of chie ...
'' — a huge ''manastambha
A manastambha (Sanskrit for '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.
According to the ''Digambara'' Jain texts like '' ...
'' — stands in front of the ''samavasarana
In Jainism, Samavasarana or Samosharana ("Refuge to All") is the divine preaching hall of the Tirthankara, stated to have more than 20,000 stairs in it. The word ''samavasarana'' is derived from two words, ''sama'', meaning general and ''avasar ...
'' of the tirthankara
In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a ' ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the '' dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable pass ...
s, which causes entrants to a ''samavasarana'' to shed their pride.
Gallery
Hutheesing Jain Temple
Hutheesing Temple is a Jain temple in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. It was constructed in 1848 by Hutheesing family. The temple blends the old Maru-Gurjara temple architecture style with new architectural elements of ''haveli'' in its design.
...
File:Ashoka pillar at Vaishali, Bihar, India.jpg, Ashoka Pillar
The pillars of Ashoka are a series of monolithic columns dispersed throughout the Indian subcontinent, erected or at least inscribed with edicts by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka during his reign from c. 268 to 232 BCE. Ashoka used the express ...
See also
*Related topics **Hutheesing Jain Temple
Hutheesing Temple is a Jain temple in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. It was constructed in 1848 by Hutheesing family. The temple blends the old Maru-Gurjara temple architecture style with new architectural elements of ''haveli'' in its design.
...
**Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts
The Major Rock Edicts of Indian Emperor Ashoka refer to 14 separate major Edicts of Ashoka which are significantly detailed and represent some of the earliest dated rock inscriptions of any Indian monarch. These edicts are preceded chronologica ...
** Dhar iron pillar
**History of metallurgy in South Asia
The history of metallurgy in the Indian subcontinent began prior to the 3rd millennium BCE and continued well into the British Raj. Metals and related concepts were mentioned in various early Vedic age texts. The Rigveda already uses the Sanskrit ...
** Iron pillar of Delhi
** Pillars of Ashoka
**Heliodorus pillar
The Heliodorus pillar is a stone column that was erected around 113 BCE in central India in Besnagar (near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh). The pillar was called the ''Garuda-standard'' by Heliodorus, referring to the deity Garuda. The pillar is commonly ...
*Other similar topics
** Early Indian epigraphy
**Indian rock-cut architecture
Indian rock-cut architecture is more various and found in greater abundance in that country than any other form of rock-cut architecture around the world. Rock-cut architecture is the practice of creating a structure by carving it out of solid n ...
**List of rock-cut temples in India
This is a partial list of Indian rock-cut temples by state or union territory.
Andhra Pradesh
* Akkanna Madanna Caves, Vijayawada
* Belum Caves, Kurnool district
* Bhairavakona Caves, Hindu temple caves located at Ambavaram Kothapalli, C ...
**Outline of ancient India
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to ancient India:
Ancient India is the Indian subcontinent from prehistoric times to the start of Medieval India, which is typically dated (when the term is still used) to t ...
** South Indian Inscriptions
** Tagundaing
References
*''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' () by Anna Dallapiccola.External links
* Hindu architecture Objects in Hindu mythology {{Hindu-myth-stub