Significance of Dwajastambham in Temples This literally means flag pole. This is placed between the Rajagopuram and the Sanctum sanctorum. It is made of wood, cladded with brass and with or without gold coating. Dwajasthambam is the backbone of the temple and it is believed that none of the surrounding buildings should rise above the dwajasthambam. Dwajasthambam is erected as per Agama Shashtra. This is placed between the Rajagopuram and the main sanctum. Devatas representing Sankam, Chakram and Yupam reside here and a daily pooja is performed. Two other objects that are grouped together with this flagstaff, are the balipitha (altar for offerings) and the vehicle (vahana) of the deity to which the temple is dedicated. Symbolically, these three objects are obstacles that protect the sanctuary of the temple from the impure. The Dwajasthambam is referred to as being a medium for the Heavens to be connected to the earth, which would refer to it being a spiritual connector between us earthlings, and the Supreme Being, God.The Sanskrit word for the flag is dhvaja and it means whatever is raised. In the religious sense, whatever raises man to a higher level of understanding and activity is a dhvaja. The flag also suggests hope and desire to overcome ignorance. There is a widespread belief that the Dwajasthambam gives an idea to a devotee from a long distance about the idol installed in the temple. A Dwajasthambam usually represents the prosperity and pride of a temple. But some texts do suggest that the bottom of a flag post symbolizes Shiva, middle portion Brahma and the top portion Vishnu. Depending on the deitys height, it could be as high as 13 meters. A cloth flag with Garuda figure for Vishnu temple (Nandhi for Shiva) is hoisted during the temple festival Brahmostavam. Prostrating before dwajasthambam is equivalent to prostrating before the deity. When the temple structure can be compared to a human body, the main sanctum is the head, Mahamandapam the central portion of the body and Rajagopuram the feet. The relevant Sanskrit Verse in “Viswakarmyam Vastu Shastra” runs thus: Garba Gruha Sirahapoktam antaraalam Galamthatha Ardha Mandapam Hridayasthanam Kuchisthanam Mandapomahan Medhrasthaneshu Dwajasthambam Praakaram Janjuangeecha Gopuram Paadayosketha Paadasya Angula Pokthaha Gopuram Sthupasthatha Yevam Devaalayam angamuchyathe The Ancient scriptures mention that the Temple is not only a home of God but stunningly the form of God Himself, by comparing the structure of the Temple to God as perceived in human form. For this, the Girba-Griha (or womb chamber) is considered to be the Head of God, Mahamandapa the stomach and Gopuram the feet. (Medhrasthaneshu Dwajasthambam - Dwajasthambam is male organ) Dwajasthambam parts and residing devatas: Panjaratra Agama based: From top to bottom Yashti - Indra Rajju - Anandan Dwajam - Vihakesanan Valayam - Vasuki Bhedika - Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra Mani - Lakshmi Mala - Saraswathi Padma Madhyam - East (Garuda), South (Pakshirajan), West (Suparnan), North (Vinatasutan) Pradamavaranam - Sankam, Chakram, Musalam, Katkam, Gadha, Sarngam, Padmam, Vajram Dwitiyavaranam - Lokabalakas Mekalai - Mandalatrayam Dhandakre - Vinatasudam Scientific Reasons: Whenever lightning strikes, the metal arrestor (A device used to protect equipment from lightning, electrical storms, etc...), placed such that it is the highest point of the region, and induces the charge to conduct through it. The arrestor then conducts the heavy electrical impulse directly to ground, thus preventing the building from getting damaged. It can be noticed that the top of the Dhwajastambha is the highest point of the temple, and thus, whenever lightning would strike, the temple would be saved from the devastating damage that could have been caused. This is what could be meant from the explanation that it connects Heaven to earth (i.e.) it conducts the charges from the clouds above during lightning to earth or ground, which is the electrical term for a no-potential area. Dwajastambham is a kind of Antenna like structure which receives the cosmic rays and brings it down to the premise of temple.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:51:25 +0000