Stambha

A stambha (Sanskrit: स्तम्भ, romanized: stambha) is a pillar or a column employed in Indian architecture.^[1] A stambha sometimes bears inscriptions and religious emblems.^[2]

Kirti Stambha at Chittorgarh fort in Rajasthan, India

Religion

In Hindu mythology, a stambha is believed to be a cosmic column that functions as a bond, joining heaven (Svarga) and earth (Prithvi). A number of Hindu scriptures, including the Atharva Veda, feature references to stambhas.^[3] In the Atharva Veda, a celestial stambha has been described as an infinite scaffold, which supports the cosmos and material creation.^{[citation needed]}

In the legend of Narasimha, an avatara of Vishnu, the deity appears from a stambha to slay the asura Hiranyakashipu. The stambha has been interpreted to represent the axis mundi in this myth by Deborah A. Soifer.^[4]

Architecture

Stambhas are popularly employed in Indian architecture. Different stambhas serve different purposes, including the following:

• A dhvaja stambha (flagstaff tower) is placed opposite the main shrine, on an axis with the main deity.
• A kirti stambha (glorious tower) and vijaya stambha (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, spread across the subcontinent, bearing different types of royal edicts.
• The Adi Purana — a huge manastambha — stands in front of the samavasarana of the tirthankaras, which is regarded to causes entrants to a samavasarana^{[clarification needed]} to shed their pride.^[5]

Gallery

• 
  Vijay Stambha at Chittorgarh fort
• 
  Kirti Stambha of Hutheesing Jain Temple
• 
  Ashoka Pillar
• 
  The stambha of Parshwanath Jain Mandir, Belgachhiya

See also

• Related topics
  • Hutheesing Jain Temple
  • Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts
  • Dhar iron pillar
  • History of metallurgy in South Asia
  • Iron pillar of Delhi
  • Pillars of Ashoka
  • Heliodorus pillar
• Other similar topics
  • Early Indian epigraphy
  • Indian rock-cut architecture
  • List of rock-cut temples in India
  • Outline of ancient India
  • South Indian Inscriptions
  • Tagundaing