Manastambha

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]

• 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
• 
  Manastambha at Shri Mahavirji Temple, Rajasthan, India
• 
  Manastambha at Tijara Jain Temple, Rajasthan, India
• 
  Manastambha at Jain Center of Greater Phoenix (JCGP), Phoenix, Arizona, United States
• 
  Manastambha at Saavira Kambada Basadi, Moodbidri, Karnataka, India
• 
  Desur Jain temple and Manastambha at Desur, Tiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
• 
  Manasthamba at Ajmer Jain temple
• 
  Manastambha at Lal Mandir

See also

• Religion portal

• Jain Temples
• Tirthas