Manastambha
# Manastambha

A manastambha (Sanskrit for '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.

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.

## 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

* 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
