Let us know about Dwajasthambam

Dwajasthambam, is a flagstaff that is commonly seen in the Hindu temples across South India and Srilanka.

It is normally seen in between the Gopuram and the Maha Mandapa of the temple and is usually accompanied by bali peetam and vahana of the concern deity of the temple.

Why temples need Dwajasthambam?

Temple construction is based upon the description present in the Agamic scriptures just like the Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra.

Agamas give clear cut rules about the rituals of the god, planning of the temple like where should be Antaralayam, Mukha Mandapa, Ardha Mandapa, Information about Circumambulation area (Pradakshina) and many more.

They also give a clear point of having Dwajasthambam in the temple.

So, the temples that were built considering the Agamaic rules usually have a Dwajasthambam.

Differences in Dwajasthambam:

Dwajastambham differs basing up on the main deity of that temple and also the Agamas they follow (Shaiva and vaishnava). In the case of Shivate temples one can observe the trident or the statue of the Nandi on the top of the flagstaff. In Vaishnavaite temple it is Chakra (Sudarshana) or the statue of hanuman depending upon the diety.

However, it is not the same in all the conditions. Sometimes you may not observe any sign on the top of the flagstaff.

Significance of Dwajasthambam:

Like the Moola Virat (Main Idol of the deity) and the Utsava Vigrahas (Idols used in temple festivals), several other things in the temple are very important for the worship as they are considered as the places where the god’s power is more concentrated.

One such is the Dwajasthambam. That is why whenever we go to the temple we normally offer prayers to it and enter the main sanctum of the temple.

Immense importance is given for the dwajastambas in Shaiva scriptures. They say that offering prayers or contributing for planting a dwajastambha or even just seeing itself gives punya.

In temples that follow shodasopachara puja or the 16 upacharas, most of them are also offered to the Dwajasthambam along with the main deity.

Dwajasthambam is required for the temples which carryout Utsavas(Festivals) and if a temple doesn’t have a dwajasthambam, utsavas are not conducted. It is also used to raise the Aakasa deepam into the air during the month of Karthika or Karthigai.

Dwajarohanam:

Dwajastambam plays a key role during temple festivals. They are started by ritual of dwajarohanam in which a flag will be hoisted on the dwajasthambham as an indication that festivals were started and also to invite the heavenly gods.

The flag raised contains the sacred symbol of the vahana of the concern diety like Nandi in Shiva Temples, Mayura in Murugan temple, Mooshika in Ganesh temples and Garuda in Vaisnava temples along with some other symbols like sun, moon, trident, and shank.

Height, Shape, and Materials Used:

Several rules are mentioned in the Agamas regarding the preparation, rituals, and installation of Dwajastambam.

Normally, Dwajastambam’s are made of wood. However, those made up of stone can also be used.

But the point to be noted is they must be of single origin. A strong, large and long tree that can withstand for many years like teak are selected and are prepared into flagstaffs following several rituals as mentioned in Agamas. Coming to the stone dwajasthambam, they should be hard without any cracks or veins.