A stambha is a pillar or a column employed in Indian architecture. A stambha sometimes bears inscriptions and religious emblems.

Religion

In Hindu mythology, a stambha is believed to be a cosmic column that functions as a bond, joining heaven (Svarga) and earth (Prithvi). A number of Hindu scriptures, including the Atharva Veda, feature references to stambhas. In the Atharva Veda, a celestial stambha has been described as an infinite scaffold, which supports the cosmos and material creation. In the legend of Narasimha, an avatara of Vishnu, the deity appears from a stambha to slay the asura Hiranyakashipu. The stambha has been interpreted to represent the axis mundi in this myth by Deborah A. Soifer.

Architecture

Stambhas are popularly employed in Indian architecture. Different stambhas serve different purposes, including the following:

Gallery

Sources