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The dhvajastambha (ध्वजस्तम्भ) refers to the flagstaff erected in front of the ''mukhamaṇḍapa'' (front pavilion) of a
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
temple. The ''dhvajastambha'' is usually built within the temple walls (''prākāra''). They are traditionally built of wood and stone, where the wooden variety is often finished with a metal covering (''kavaca''). The dhvajastambha is a common feature in
South Indian
South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territ ...
temples.
Two other objects that are grouped together with this flagstaff are the ''bali peetam'' (altar for offerings) and the vehicle (
vahana
''Vahana'' ( sa, वाहन, or animal vehicle, literally "that which carries, that which pulls") denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical, a particular Hindu God is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vahana is often ...
) of the deity, to whom the temple is dedicated. Symbolically, these three objects are shields that protect the sanctuary of the temple from the impure and undevoted.
[ Hiltebeitel, Alf (1991). ]
The Cult of Draupadi, Volume 2: On Hindu Ritual and the Goddess
'. University of Chicago Press. . pp. 91-92.
See also
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Dhvaja
Dhvaja (Sanskrit also ध्वज; )
, meaning banner or flag, is composed of the Ashtamangala, the "eight auspicious symbols".
In Hinduism
Dhvaja in Hinduism or vedic tradition takes on the appearance of a high column (dhvaja- stambha) er ...
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Gopuram
A ''gopuram'' or ''gopura'' ( Tamil: கோபுரம், Malayalam: ഗോപുരം, Kannada: ಗೋಪುರ, Telugu: గోపురం) is a monumental entrance tower, usually ornate, at the entrance of a Hindu temple, in the Sout ...
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Vahana
''Vahana'' ( sa, वाहन, or animal vehicle, literally "that which carries, that which pulls") denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical, a particular Hindu God is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vahana is often ...
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Hindu temple architecture
References
External links
Hindu temple architecture
Religious flags
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