In Jainism, a manastambha () 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 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.
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.The Brahmadeva Pillars. An Inquiry into the Origin and Nature of the Brahmadeva Worship among the Digambara Jains, S. Settar, Artibus Asiae, Vol. 33, No. 1/2 (1971), pp. 17-38
Examples Some of the well known Jain manastambhas are:
Kirti Stambha of Chittorgarh. The Vijaya Stambha was inspired by this. Manastambhas of Devagarh Manastambhas of Moodabidri Manastambhas of Shravanabelagola Manastambha at Shikharji at Madhuvan
Manastambhas in South India are generally monolithic.
Photo gallery
See also
Jain Temples Tirthas
References Citations
Sources
External links Chittor and its Kirti Stambha Jaina Architecture in Northern India