Stambha

Stambha (also spelled as Skambha) is pillar or column found in India. In the context of Jain and Hindu mythology, it is believed to be a cosmic column which functions as a bond, which joins the heaven (Svarga) and the earth (Prithvi). A number of Hindu scriptures, including the Atharva Veda, have references to Stambhas. In the Atharva Veda, a celestial stambha has been described as an infinite scaffold, which supports the cosmos and material creation.

Kirti Stambha at Chittorgarh fort in Rajasthan, India

A Stambha was and is also used in the context of Indian architecture. Different Stambhas serve different purpose, including the following:

• Dhvaja Stambha – flagstaffs that are placed opposite the main shrine, on an axis with the main deity.
• Kirti Stambha or Vijaya Stambha – 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, and which bear different types of royal edicts.
• Adi Purana – a huge manastambha stands in front of the samavasarana of the tirthankaras, which causes someone entering a samavasarana to shed their pride.[1]

Gallery

• 
  Vijay Stambha at Chittorgarh fort
• 
  Kirti Stambh of Hutheesing Jain Temple
• 
  Ashoka Pillar

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

References

1. Shah, Umakant Premanand (1987), Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana: Jaina iconography, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 81-7017-208-X

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola