deepstambh or Deep Jyoti Stambh

DeepStambh or Deep Jyoti Stambh This is my first blog post and I would love to start off with beautiful Deepstambhs or also known as Deep Jyoti Stambhs.Let’s first get to know what are Stambhs or Stambhas are,Stambhs or Stambhas play an important and equally vital role in Indian Architecture. Stambha (also spelled as Skambha) - is used to denote pillar or column. In the context of Hindu mythology, it is believed to be a cosmic column which functions as a bond, which joins the heaven (Svarga) and the earth (Prithvi). A number of Hindu scriptures, including the Atharva Veda, have references to Stambha. In the Atharva Veda, a celestial stambha has been described as an infinite scaffold, which supports the cosmos and material creation.

Above is the Picture of Deep Jyoti Stambh,from Maheshwar.Pic Courtsey anandamoy chatterji from Flickr. Stambha was and is also used in the context of Indian architecture. Different Stambhas serve different purpose, including the following:- Dhvaja stamnhas - flagstaffs that are placed opposite the main shrine, on an axis with the main deity. Kirttistambhas - erected to commemorate act of Fame.It is also known as the Tower of Fam. Vijaystambhas - are erected for the commemoration of Victory. Vijay Stambha means victory towers. Deep Jyoti Stambhas - are erected for also known as Lamp Towers illumination of Diyas and as the name says Deep means Diya and Jyoti means Light and Stambh means a column. Such Stambha are erected outside the temple compound to be illuminated with Diyas, on special occasions.

Above is the Picture Deep Jyoti Stambh,from Sri Mahalaxmi Temple Complex,C Ward, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. Stambhas (pillars) were set up in the Buddhist sacred places & along the highways. Emperor Ashoka made a major contribution, setting up atleast thirty such pillars. A stambha consists of a circular column or shaft slightly tapering towards the summit (monolithic). On top of this shaft is the Persepolitan bell or the inverted lotus shaped base. Above this is the abacus on top of which rests the crowning sculpture. These three portions were carved out of a single stone (monolithic). The stambhas erected during various periods have shown a development in style & structure.

In the above picture we can see " Deep Jyoti Stambh in Harsiddhi Mata Temple,both during the daytime and in evening during evening aarti (prayer), Ujjain, India. The Deep Jyoti Stambh is ignited 290 days out of 365 days.It takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to prepare and fill the Deepamalikaon or Dipamalikaon with oil and it takes 10 minutes to lite 1111 Deepas.below you will find the video showing lighting of Diyas. video courtsey youtube and owner of this video. In both the columns we can see Lord Shiva in 511 Deepastambh while Goddess Parvati in orther 600 deepastambh.Both the deepastambhs are lit during day and eveining aarti (prayer) time.

pic courtsey to Arun Prabhu for showing us the entire temple compund of Shri Shanta Durga Temple of Goa. In India we get see many Deepastambhs bearing very beautiful and unique Architectural styles.Iam sharing few of them with their details of Architectural styles.Above we can see an Beautiful Deepastambh and the main temple of Shri Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Temple is located at Fatorpa of Quepem Taluka and is one of the oldest temples of Goa. It is also one of the prime places to visit in Goa. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Shri Shantadurga. Originally from Cuncolim village in Salcete Taluka, the Goddess was removed to Fatorpa in 16th Century during religious persecution by the Portuguese.As per History it's said During the reign of Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shahu, the temple was reconstructed which was previously destroyed by Portuguese invasion. The temple complex is on the foothills of a mountain chain bordered by greenery in all sides. At the entrance of the temple of Shree Shantadurga Kunkalikarin, there is a massive doorway called Mahadwar. The temple has the big gold plated kalash that is built on the main dome with ornamented designs. In the garbhagraha, there are two statues of Shree Shantadurga. One is in a sitting position and the second idol of the Devi is in standing position. The same is the Darshanamurti because the devotees can take darshan of her daily. This statue is made up of the five metals. She is standing on a patt. She holds a trishul, sudarshan chakra and an arrow in her hand. The annual 'Zatra' falls in the month of Pausha Shuddha Navami and attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world. Every year thousands of visitors visits Shantadurga temple. There is agrashala or guest houses within the temple compound to accommodate the visitors.

pic courtsey and detail courtsey goes to http://srisrilara.blogspot.in/2016/09/sri-mangueshi-temple.html & xeographiks.com Another beautiful Deepastambh we can get to see is from the above picture of Shri Mangueshi Temple of Goa.As per History it's said that this Temple was originally at Kushasthali/Cortalim, a village in Saxtty/Salcette since a very long period. But in the year 1560 as the Portuguese invaded this place and began converting people to Christianity, the idol of Lord Shiva/Manguesh was shifted to the present location which was then ruled by a Hindu king. Since then the Temple has been rebuilt and renovated a few times. The most recent renovation took place in 1973. The Temple is intricately designed and proportioned. The Temple architecture consists of several domes, ornamental walls, pillars and arches. There is a beautiful Nandi/bull and a beautiful seven-storey Lamp tower/Deepa Sthamba inside the Temple complex, which you can see in the attached photographs. Inside the Temple is a spacious hall called Sabha Griha which can accommodate over 500 persons. The décor here includes magnificent chandeliers. At the center of this hall is the Garbha Griha/Sanctum sanctorum, which houses the idol of Bhagwan Manguesh. According to legend Lord Shiva played a game of dice with his wife, Goddess Parvati Devi and lost all that he possessed. Having lost everything he wandered and came to Kushasthali area in Goa. Goddess Parvati came looking for him here. Then Lord Shiva disguised himself as a tiger and frightened Parvati Devi. Startled, Parvati Devi shouted for help saying “Trahi Mam Grisha”, which means “O Lord of the mountains save me”. Lord Shiva then transformed into his original form and the divine couple returned to their abode happily. The words “Mam Grisha” came to be associated with Lord Shiva and over time the words got transformed as Manguirisha and then Manguesh. And the place where this episode took place was marked by building a Temple there. And the Temple was called as Mangueshi or Mangeshi Temple. And as explained above this Temple was shifted to its present location in 1560.

Another beautiful yet less heard Deepastambh we can see from the above picture is from Hinglajgarh (Hindi: हिंगलाजगढ़) or Hinglaj Fort (Hindi: हिंगलाज क़िला Hinglaj Qila) is an ancient fort situated near village Navali in Bhanpura tehsil of Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh.

another twin deepastambh we can see from the above picture is from Bhoonki Mata Temple Deep Jyoti Near Kshipra River Ujjain,India.

In the above picture we can see another beautiful Deepastambh from the legendary Bhimashankar Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in Bhavagiri (Bhorgiri) village, 50 km north-west of Khed, in Maharashtra, India. Bhimashankar Shiva Mandir is about 110 km from Pune in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills (Sahayadri Ranges). The temple is situated on the banks of River Bhima, it is from here Bhima River flows south east and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur. Bhima Shankar Temple gives a beautiful view of the forts, the rivers and the hill stations nearby. Temple was built in 18th century, by a Peshwa ruler in the Nagara style of architecture and also has influences from the Indo Aryan style of architecture. The temple has a wooden entrance which is beautifully carved. This ancient Jyothirlinga temple is said to have constructed over a Swayambhu (self-emanated) Shiva Linga. The sanctum is seen at a lower level. The pillars and gateways of the temple are adorned with carvings of scenes from mythology. Nana Phadnavis, (a great prime minister of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa rule in Pune), built the shikhara (the rising tower) of the temple. There is also a small temple dedicated to Lord Shani within the Bhimshankar temple premises. At the entrance of the temple is the image of Nandi (the celestial bull). Bhimashankar is named by joining the words Bhima and Shankar (other names of Lord Shiv). Bhimashankar is the source of the Bhima river. It is said that on the request of the GODs, Lord Shiv took abode the Bhima form to kill a demon named Tripurasur. He slayed Tripurasur, and the sweat released from Bhima's body due to the rigorous fight, formed the Bhima river. A shrine dedicated to Kamalaja, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, is situated near the Bhimashankara Temple. Kamalaja is said to have helped Shiva in his battle against Tripurasura. There are also images of the Shivaganas (Shiva Ganas) - Shaakini and Daakini, who helped Shiva in the battle against the demon. Lord Shiva was called Tripurantaka, for his destruction of Tripurasura. A holy tank called Mokshakund thirtha is located behind the Bhimashankara temple. It is where the Rishi Kaushika is said to have taken bath. Other important thirthas are the Sarvathirtha, the Kusharanya thirtha where the Bhima River begins to flow eastward, and the Jyanakund.

In the above picture we can see Deepstambh (light pillar) of Someshwar Temple, Chas (Kaman) Rajgurunagar, Maharashtra,India.As per History it's said that the Someshwar Temple stands tall. This temple was built in 1749, on Kashibai's suggestion who was Peshwa Bajirao's first wife. Spread across an area of 1.5 acre, it has a tall structure called the 'Deepmala', on which 256 diyas can be placed at a time.Pic and detail courtsey of indiatimes.com

In the above picture we can see an beautiful Deepastambh from bank of the river at Nighoj, Maharashtra, India.Pic coursey Amit Sharma of Flickr.

In the above picture we can see beautiful Deepastambhs from Lord Khandoba Temple, Jejuri, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

In the above picture we can see beautiful Deepastambh of Worli Fishing Village,Mumbai Fishing Village.Pic courtsey http://mumbai-magic.blogspot.in/2013_03_01_archive.html

In the above picture we can see beautiful Deepastambh from Kalbhairav temple Ujjain,India. I would like to say in India,there many more beautiful Deepastambhs which we can get to see.These Beautiful deepastambhs are most magnificent example of India Architecture and style and play an important role both Historically and spirituality.These Deepastambhs were and still pinnacle who were used for many purposes ranging from worship to signalling purpose also.Iam an avid fanatic and admirer of these beautiful Deepastambhs coz it reminds me of an Quote from my favorite Poet Jalaluddin Rumi " Be a lamp, a lifeboat, a ladder. Help someone's soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd." Indeed if we all can see the beauty of the lights emitted by these beautiful deepastambhs and allow ourselfs to be exposed and absorb these lights and spread the same lights to everyone remove our impurities from our inside's and remove darkness from this world and be an light for someone or somebody then only we all can help heal this beautiful world and make this world a better place to live in.Cheers Buddha bless you all always :)