eBook on Kodimaram or Dwaja Stambam

ebook on Dwaja or Kodimaram Compiled by Cnu-pne

Contents

1-Why Do We Have Kodimaram( Flagstaff) In Temples? ................................. 2 1.1-Dwaja or Kodimaram ............................................................................................ 3 1.2-SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DHWAJA STHAMBH:-............................................. 4 1.3-What's the Meaning / use of Dwajasthambam? ....................................... 5 1.4-What are the Different Parts of Dwajasthambam and residing devatas? ............................................................................................................................. 5 1.5-Cultural Beliefs:....................................................................................................... 6 1.6-Where Dwajasthambam is placed?................................................................. 7 1.7-Scientific Reasons:................................................................................................. 7 1.8-Interesting Facts: ................................................................................................... 7 2-Preparation of kodimaram ......................................................................................... 9 2.1-Teak Wooden Log Before working .................................................................. 9 2.3-Working at Top Portion of Dhajasthambam ............................................. 11 2.4-Completed Kodimaram from Bottom to Top Side View ........................ 11 2.5-Completed Kodimaram from Top to Bottom Side View ........................ 12 2.6-Completed Kodimaram Top Side Closeup View ....................................... 13 2.7-Completed Kodimaram with Brass Sheet Ornamental Work Before Installing. ......................................................................................................................... 13 3-DIFFERENT TYPE'S OF DHAJASTHAMBAM ......................................................... 14 3.1-Teak Wooden Kodimaram Covered with Copper Sheet ornamental Work ................................................................................................................................... 14 3.2-Teak Wooden Kodimaram covered with Brass Sheet Ornamental Work ................................................................................................................................... 15 3.4- (22 Caret) Electro Gold Plated Copper Sheet ornamental Work Kodimaram with Teak wood Inside. ..................................................................... 16 3.5-Teak Wooden Kodimaram with Brass Sheet work (FOR CHURCH) . 16 4-Tamil edition .................................................................................................................. 20 5-Link's to know more about Dhajasthambam ................................................... 22 5.1-Bharat Rekha in America .................................................................................. 22 5.2-What is the importance of ''dwajasthambam'' in temples ? ............. 22 5.3-He's a Muslim who does gilding work at temples .................................. 22

5.4-Dwajasthambam - Flag Pole ............................................................................ 22 5.5-Various dwaja stumba........................................................................................ 22 5.6-THE RATIONALE OF TEMPLE WORSHIP ...................................................... 22 5.7-Dwajasthambam Installation at Vishwanatha Temple ........................ 22

1-Why Do We Have Kodimaram( Flagstaff) In Temples?

This is a photograph from Guruvayoor temple showing, what Kodimaram means, here it is gold plated. Hindu Agama Shastras compare a Temple to the human body. Just as an individual soul is enveloped by five košas or sheaths - (Annamova, Prãnamaya, Manomaya, Vynãnamaya and Ãnandamaya) - the Deity installed in the Temple (representing the Supreme Spirit) is also enveloped by five prãkaras Just as our gross body has five sections - head, neck, chest, legs and feet - a Temple also has five corresponding sections. The Garbhagriham or sanctum Santorum represents the head; the Sanctum is the Soul or the Jiva of the body; the Vimana over the Sanctum represents the tip of the nose. Ardhamandap in front of the Sanctum represents the neck; Mahã Mandapam, the chest; Prakaras around the Sanctum represents our five

senses: the palibida where nivedana is offered to the deity represents the naval; the kodimaram represents the jeevadhara; and the Gopura, the main gateway of the temple, represents the feet.

A Dhvaja Stamba 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.

1.1-Dwaja or Kodimaram

This tall pillar is visible from a distance. It bears on the top the deity’s vahana as emblem and one can identify the deity of a temple by seeing it. Shiva temple has Nandi, Vishnu temple has Garuda, Durga temple has Lion, Kali temple has Vethala, Sastha temple has Horse, Subrahmanya temple has Peacock, Ganapathy temple has Mooshika and Saraswathy temple has Hamsam on top of the dwaja. Ashtadikpalaka idols were placed at the bottom part of the dwaja. Kodimaram is used for hoisting kodi or flag during festivals. It is located outside the balikkalpura and is usually made of wood and covered with copper, panchaloha, silver, bronze or gold. Image shows the Golden Dwaja in Sabarimala Temple.

TEMPLE AND HUMAN BODY The main parts of a temple are: 1. Garbhagraha (Sanctum Sanctorum) containing the image of God. 2. The Vimana over the Sanctum. 3. Ardhamandap in front of the Sanctum. 4. Prakaras around the Sanctum. 5. The Gopura, the main gateway of the temple. Indian temple is only a reflection of the physical form of the human body. According to the Tirumular "our body is a temple". According to the Kathopanishad "This body of ours is a temple of the Divine."

1.2-SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DHWAJA STHAMBH:It’s common to see what is known as the "dhwaja sthambha" or simply "flag post" in the vicinity of almost all ancient temples, but rarely do we think about its significance. This post will throw some light on this topic. The Dhwaja Stambha is a structure present in a straight line from the deity, just before the Vahana of the deity, which is also in the same line. During a festival, the Dhwaja Stambha is decorated with several types of flags to celebrate that event. It can be noted that the Dhwaja Stambha gives an idea to a devotee about the idol installed in the temple and about the Vahana or Vehicle used by the deity. It also announces about a festival in a temple. An expert in Agama shastra could figure out such details of a temple merely by looking at the dhwaja sthambh. Usually, a kingdom is marked by a flag which signifies that, that place(kshetram) belongs to a particular King. Likewise, ancient temples which are the abodes of different deities are sometimes called "Sri kshetram" & as such the dhwaja sthambh demarkates the area as that which belongs to the deity. Its customary to hoist a flag on the sthambh before the commencement of a festival as it serves as an indication for tourists & local people about the festival. An interesting argument put forth by certain scientific thinkers is that the dhwaja sthambh not only serves as a medium with philosophical significance but also contains a scientific one which is that it works as a "lightning arrestor rod". It is beyond doubt that the "garbha griha"(chief sanctorum), i.e the place where the idol of the deity is present is the most important structure in the temple. Hence, it must be protected from all sorts of calamities, even if it is at the cost of another structure in the temple. Calamities in the form of invasions were checked by the army of the ruling Kingdom. However, the same cannot be done in the case of natural calamities, particularly lightning in our case.

It can be noticed that the top of the Dhwaja Stambha is the highest point of the temple, and if lightning were to strike, the temple would be saved from the devastating damage that could have been caused otherwise.

1.3-What's the Meaning / use of Dwajasthambam? Dwajasthambam literally means "flag pole" This is placed between the Rajagopuram and the Sanctum sanctorum. It is made of wood, cladded with brass / Copper Sheet and with or without gold coating. A cloth flag with Nandhi figure for Shiva temple (Garuda for Vishnu) is hoisted during the temple festival Brahmostavam. 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)

1.4-What are the Different Parts of Dwajasthambam 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 Dwajasthambam - Flag Pole Dwajasthambam: 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. 1.5-Cultural Beliefs: It's really wonderful how our ancient Indian Hindus have incorporated this principle in order to safeguard the most important place of their social setting, the temples.

The top portion of the flag staff has three horizontal perches or three branches pointing towards the Sanctum. It symbolizes righteousness, reputation and propriety or the Trimurtis – Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva. Initially, it was temporary and was primarily used to indicate the beginning of a festival or other auspicious days and occasions. Some flags and banners hoisted in temples act as a message board and give an idea about the deity worshipped in the temple. It also suggests which particular incarnation or manifestation of the God is given importance in the temple. 1.6-Where Dwajasthambam is placed? This is placed between the Rajagopuram and the main sanctum. Devatas representing "Sankam", "Chakram" and "Yupam” reside here. A special tree, fifteen feet in height, was brought from India, and has been placed and clad with brass decorations. Special flags will be raised during each of the festivals that will be conducted for Sri Lakshmi and other sanctums of the temple to mark the occasions. Daily pooja will also be performed for the Dwajasthambam. 1.7-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. 1.8-Interesting Facts:

The following points are the Do's and Don’ts inside the Temple: Dwajastambham in temples are the places where you should prostrate before entering temples. Near Dwajastambham you are supposed to leave all your bad doshas, attitudes or karmas and purify yourself before entering inside the temple. When you enter inside, you become one with the god or goddess with your prayers and the transmutation of energy takes place. Dwajastambham which also symbolizes the spine or Back-Bone. Near the Dwajastambham in case of South Indian temples is the Bali Peetam. Rice and other anointments are offered here by the priests, who then progress to all other presiding deities around the temple and subsequently to the main deity. The significance of Garuda in the Dwajastambham is, that he is waiting eagerly to guide us to the lord.Garuda also removes any sarpadoshas in the body. If you have Navgrahas inside the temple, you have to do pradakshina and offerings and then enter the temple. In most of the temples there are rules put that you cannot prostrate inside the temple complex. You have to do namaskaram near the Dwajastambham and then enter the inside of the temple The temple complex is a sacred place where you can access the divine energy according to one’s requirement. You can see Bhairavar at the entrance in some temples.He is the guardian of the temple. You have to take permission and then enter inside the temple. Likewise if Ganapathy is there at the entrance then you have to prostrate and then enter inside. If Hanuman or Garudan is in the entrance prostrate there and near Dwajastambham prostration is done before entering inside the temple. All these deities are placed according to the temples rules and regulation and there practices. The number of prostrations also varies and depends on the main deity or custom of the temple architecture. Before visiting the main deity (moolavar) inside generally pradakshina is done with number varying from 1, 3 5, etc. The broad significance of pradakshina in a clock wise direction is: By doing the pradakshina main deity is always in the center and we maintain equidistant from the center. The energy and grace which enters inside the human soul is immeasurable. When you do pradakshina you are faithfully and sincerely winding divinity around you. We are supposed to do the pradakshina of desired numbers and then enter inside to be with main deity. Of course all this is not possible in a temple like Tirupathi or in other crowded temples. In such case one has to be satisfied by doing atmapradakshina. In case of Sivan Temple / Samadhi:

First you pray to Nandi that is Rishabam.Rule number one before going inside the Shiva temple you should offer prayers to Nandi and chant Shiva mantra in Nandi’s (Rishabams) ear Right or left ear. The choice is yours. Suppose as you are telling that you want to chant in right ear of Nandi that is on the other side then you must go from the Back side of Nandi only .Then touch Nandi’s feet and then pray in his ears and come back from back side of Nandi only. Generally you should not stand in between Nandi and Shiva lingam and pray. You can see Shiva lingam in between Nandi shorn. Again Kindly Note You are not supposed to stand in front of Nandi and pray to Shiva. Chandishwararsanadhi in many temples on the way to Gomuki you can find the Idol. This is the place where you clap your hands .The Significance of clapping hands in front of Chandishwarar is , you announce your presence by clapping and Lord Chandishwarar will acknowledge your presence in the temple Gomuki is the place where abhishekkam water comes out from Shiva lingam. After Praying to Chandishwarar you proceed towards the Gomuki .After praying near Gomuki you retrace your path and come back near Nandi .Note when you are praying near Gomuki you are not supposed to cross the Gomuki. In some old temples of Tamil Nadu they have constructed a wall so that you cannot go beyond gomuki.

2-Preparation of kodimaram 2.1-Teak Wooden Log Before working

2.2-Working at Bottom Part of Dhajasthambam

2.3-Working at Top Portion of Dhajasthambam

2.4-Completed Kodimaram from Bottom to Top Side View

2.5-Completed Kodimaram from Top to Bottom Side View

2.6-Completed Kodimaram Top Side Closeup View

2.7-Completed Kodimaram with Brass Sheet Ornamental Work Before Installing.

3-DIFFERENT TYPE'S OF DHAJASTHAMBAM

3.1-Teak Wooden Kodimaram Covered with Copper Sheet ornamental Work

3.2-Teak Wooden Kodimaram covered with Brass Sheet Ornamental Work

3.3-Teak Wooden Kodimaram with Brass Sheet Ornamental Work (KERALA TYPE)

3.4- (22 Caret) Electro Gold Plated Copper Sheet ornamental Work Kodimaram with Teak wood Inside.

3.5-Teak Wooden Kodimaram with Brass Sheet work (FOR CHURCH)

Brihadeeswara Temple

TEAK WOODEN SWING / OONGAL

TEAK WOODEN SHIMMA AASANAM / DARBAR CHAIR

Dwajasthambam You are at SIES Sri Bhaktha Aanjaneya: Bhaktha Aanjaneya Trust : Dwajasthambam

A 52 feet tall Dwajasthambam in front of the 33ft.height Bhaktha Aanjaneya idol was installed on May26, 2006. In Sanskrit dwajameans whatever is raised, therefore has the connotation of hope, desire, pride and will. Whatever raises man to higher level of understanding and activity is dwaja. The Pancharathra text insists that a temple without a flag would be in vain and gives some interesting details about the position and height of the mast and the wood or banner etc. It is an image, which is at once relevant to human aspirations and persistent in human thought and actions. The benefit of a flagmast in temples is obtainment of all that is desired by the devotees. Another text 'Sivasarvaswa" says it is an indication of the insignia of the deity of the vehicle of the icon that is inside the sanctum. The ceremoniously installed dwajasthambam with its flag hoisted as per the prescribed rituals, would enable Gods and Manes to shower happiness and prosperity, as they would be delighted. Otherwise the demons and goblins would sneak in and make the temple their abode. The dwaja-sthambam symbolises the kundalini-sakthi. Its base is considered asmoolaadhara and its top the sahasraara. The log (dwaja) represents the vertebral column and spinal column of the human body. Similarly the coverings of dwaja by copper, bell-metal etc. arc symbolic of the other bones and ribs around the vertebral column. The vaahana at the top of the dwaja represents the sahasraara chakra through which, it is considered, the ultimate consciousness leaves. The general belief, therefore is that the deity is seated above the vaahana and hence the dwaja is worshipped. Worshipping of dwaja itself equals to worshipping the main idol of the temple. When a devotee sights the flag-staff and bows, he resolves to rise higher like the tall sthamba

4-Tamil edition ககோயிலுக்கு அழகு தருவது ககோடிமரம். தீய சக்திகளை அகற்றுவதன் க ோருட்டும்,

ககோயிளையும்

இளை

ஆற்ைளை

அதிகரித்தல்

க்தர்களையும்

க ோருட்டும்,

ோதுகோத்தற்

க ோருட்டும்

ஆையங்களுக்கு முன் ோக ககோடிமரம் நிறுவப் டுகிைது. ககோடி மரத்தின் தண்டு நல்ை ளவரம் சந்தனம்,

கதவதோரு,

கசண் கம்,

ோய்ந்ததோக இருக்க கவண்டும். வில்வம்,

மகிழம்

மரங்கைில் ககோடிமரம் கசய்வது உத்தமம் ஆகும்.

முதைிய

ைோ, மோ ஆகிய

மரங்கைில் ககோடிமரம் அளமப் து குளைந்த நன்ளமளயத் தருவதோல் மத்திமம் ஆகும். கமுகு,

ளன, கதங்கு முதைிய மரங்கைில் ககோடி

மரம் அளமப் து மிகமிகக் குளைந்த நன்ளமயைிக்குமோதைோல் இளவ அதமம் ஆகும். ககோடி மிகவும்

மரம்

முப் த்து

சிைப் ோகும்.

மூன்று

கணுக்கள்

உள்ைதோய்

ககோடிக்கம் த்தின்

ஐந்தில்

அளமப் து

ஒரு

ோகம்

பூமியிைிருக்கும் டி நடுவர். இதன் அடியிைிருந்து உச்சிவளர ஏழு ோகமோக்கி

சதுர,

ககோண

விருத்த

வடிவங்கைில்

அளமப் ர்.

ககோடிமரத்தின் அடிப் ோகம் சதுரமோக இருக்கும். இது இளைவனின் ளைப்புத் கதோழிளை உணர்த்துகிைது. இது கமலுள்ை

ிரம்ம

ோகமோகும். அதன்

ோகம் எண்ககோணமோயிருக்கும்.

இது இளைவனின் கோத்தல் கதோழிளைக் குைிக்கும். இது விஷ்ணு ோகமோகும். அதற்கு கமல் உருண்ை நீண்ை

குைிக்கும். ஆககவ

இது

இளைவனின்

ககோடி

சங்கோரத்

மரம்

ோகம் உருத்திரளனக்

கதோழிளைக்

என் து

குைிக்கும்.

மும்மூர்த்திகைின்

முத்கதோழில்களையும் உணர்த்துவதோக அளமயப்க ற்ைது. ஆையங்கைில்

ககோடிகயற்றுவது

நளைக றுவதோகும்.

ககோடிமரம்

திருவருட்

சக்தி; ககோடித்துணி

ஆன்மோ,

திருவருட்சக்தியினோகை

எனப் டும்.

ககோடிகயற்றும்

என் து

ஆகம

சிவக ருமோன்; ஆன்மோ; தர்ப்ள க்

நிகழ்ச்சியோனது ோசம்

விதிப் டி

ககோடிக்கயிறு கயிறு

மும்மை அற்று,

ோசம்

வயப் டும்

சிவஞோன

வடிவமோகிய

தியின் திருவடிளய அளைதல் என்னும் தத்துவத்ளத

உணர்த்துவதோகும். ககோடி மரத்தின்

ை ீ ம்

த்ர ை ீ ம் எனப் டும். இங்கக இளைவனிைம்

ோசக்கட்டு அறுமோறு மனத்ளதப்

ஆன்மோளவப்

ைியிை கவண்டும் என் தற்கோக

ோசக்கயிறு சுற்ைியுள்ைளத நிளனவூட்டும் வளகயில்

ககோடி மரத்தில் கயிறு சுற்ைியிருக்கும். திருவிழோவில் முதல்நோள் ககோடிகயற்றுவதன்

கநோக்கமோவது

திருவிழோவிற்கு

வரும்

அடியோர்களை உயர் தமளையச் கசய்வதற்கோக இளைவன் இவ்விழோ நோட்கைில் சிைப் ோக எழுந்தருைி அருள் ோைிக்கப் க ோகிைோர் என் கத. இளைவளன

அளைந்தவர்

அழிவற்ை

ஆனந்த

கவள்ைத்தில்

நிளைத்திருப் ர் என நிளனந்து ககோடி மரத்ளத சூக்கும ைிங்கமோக எண்ணி

வணங்க

கவண்டும்.

இளைவனின்

மூை

மந்திரத்ளத

உச்சரித்த வண்ணம் ககோடிமரத்ளத மூன்று முளை வைம் வந்து வணங்க கவண்டும்.

சிவன் ககோயிைில் நந்திளயயும், க ருமோள் ககோயிைில் கருைளனயும், அம் ோள்

ககோயிைில்

மயிளையும், ககோயிைில்

விநோயகர்

சிங்கத்ளதயும், ககோயிைில்

குதிளரளயயும்

அளமத்திருப் ோர்கள்.

முருகன்

ககோயிைில்

மூஞ்சுறுளவயும்,

ககோடி

மரத்தின்

சோஸ்தோ

கமல் குதியில்

துவஜஸ்தம் ம் எனப் டும் ககோடிமரத்தில் திருவிழோவின் முதல்நோள் ககோடிகயற்றுவது துவஜோகரோகணம் என்றும், விழோ முடிந்து களைசி நோள்

ககோடியிைக்குவது

அளழக்கப் டுகிைது.

துவஜோவகரோகணம்

என்றும்

ககோடிமரத்தின் முன் ஆண்கள் அஷ்ைோங்க நமஸ்கோரமும், க ண்கள் ஞ்சோங்க கோக்கும்

நமஸ்கோரமும் க ோருட்டு

கவசமணிவிப் ர்.

கசய்தல்

கவண்டும்.

ித்தளை, கசம்பு

இதனோல்

ககோடி

க ோன்ை

கவயில், மளழ

உகைோகங்கைோல்

க ோன்ை

மோற்ைங்கைிைிருந்து ககோடி மரம் கோக்கப் டுகிைது.

மரத்ளதக் இயற்ளக

5-Link's to know more about Dhajasthambam 5.1-Bharat Rekha in America http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/07… 5.2-What is the importance of ''dwajasthambam'' in temples ? http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind… 5.3-He's a Muslim who does gilding work at temples http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/… 5.4-Dwajasthambam - Flag Pole http://theancientindia.blogspot.com/2012/08/dwajasthambamflag-pole.html 5.5-Various dwaja stumba http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dwajasthambam 5.6-THE RATIONALE OF TEMPLE WORSHIP http://www.srimatham.com/uploads/5/5/4/9/5549439/rationa l_for_temples.pdf 5.7-Dwajasthambam Installation at Vishwanatha Temple https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fl2cGQxlRw