A stambha in India often refers to a tower or a pillar (tower in English) is a pillar and it has a mythological connotation. in the Hindu mythology Hindu mythology, it is a cosmic column connecting heaven (Swargam) and earth (Prithvi). It also implies a cosmic column of fire (Agni) as displayed by God Shiva . There are references to stambha in Hindu scriptures like the Atharva
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| 1847 image of Kirti stambha en.wikipedia.org/ |
Stambhas are also parts of Indian architecture. and there are different types:
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| Dhwajasthambha in a Hindu temple. wikiwand.com |
Dhwaja Stambha (Flagstaff pole or pillar) is commonly built in all Hindu temples right before the shrines. before the beginning of festivities, the custom has been that the temple flag is hoisted on the Dwajasthambham.
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| recent image of Kirti stambha en.wikipedia.org/ |
Kirti Stambha & Vijaya Stambha: Both are victory towers . Example Ashoka Stambha built at several places in India bearing royal edicts. .
Adi Purana refers to a huge manastambha or pillar built in front of the samavasarana of the tirthankaras. The spiritual implication is the visitors must shed their pride, presumption and ego before entering a sanctified place.
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| Kirthi stanbah, Chittorgarh, rajasthan tourmyindia.com |
Above image: Built in Solanki architecture inside the Chittor fort by Biherwal Mahajan Sanaya, Kirti Stambh is dedicated to Rishabha, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. It is 30 feet wide at the base and narrows down to 15 feet at the top. It is a 7 story structure with a statue of five-feet-high Rishabha and the intricate carvings represent the Digambar sect. To access higher levels there is a narrow stairway. Atop floor there is an observation hall to look around the city from the top. Lots of followers of Jainism visit this tower to worship Lord Adinath. The tower has holy figures and saints from the Jain pantheon; hence, Kirti Stambh is considered a major Jain pilgrimage by many Jainism followers....................
This 12th century stampaha called Kirti Stambha was built by a Jain merchant Jeeja Bhagerwala (inscriptions mention his name) during the reign of Rawal Kumar Singh in c. 1179–1191 CE. It is a tall one 22 meters (72 ft). The Chittor town was once a major Jain religious center centuries back. This town was associated with various Jain scholars. From the 15th to 17th centuries, it was the seat of a Bhattaraka, a form of jain worship. The structure dates from the 13th century, though unrelated Jain inscriptions of 896 AD were found in the vicinity. Kirti Stambha seems to be older than another tower in the same fort, known as the Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory).
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| Vijay stambha, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan you tube.com |
Above image. The other stambha inside the Chittor fort, Rajasthan is Vijay Stambha or Victory Tower . Also known as tower of fame, it was constructed by Rana Kumbha in 1448 to commemorate his victory over the combined Islamic armies led by Mahmud Khilji. The tower is dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu. The tower is 37.19 m high and was built by Ar. 'Sutradhara' Jaita. Chittorgarh fort, one of the largest in India was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries; in 1303 Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 Emperor Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who left the fort and founded Udaipur. Chittor was once the capital of Mewar.
https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/rajasthan/kirti-stambh-chittorgarh.html
https://www.holidify.com/places/chittorgarh/kirti-stambh-sightseeing-1581.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirti_Stambha
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