The dwaja-sthamba symbolizes the kundalini-sakthi. Its base is considered as Moolaadhara 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 are 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 is itself equal to worshipping the main idol of the temple. The position of dwaja is determined based on the dand; ie, the height of the front door known as dwaara-neela. The location of dwaja is either 12 dands, as specified above from the praasaada or 5,6 or 7 utthara-dands from the centre of the garbha-grha. The dwaja-sthamba is installed in front of the sreekovil on the pradakshina-vazhi in such a way that the dwaja is within the limit of the specified length from the centre of the garbha-grha. However it has to be ensured that either the entire base of the dwaja is outside the above specified length from the praasaada or 3/5 of the base of the dwaja. In temples of Tamil nadu the position of the dwaja is seen between the front of the main entrance of the valiambalam and valia-balikkall.
Further the dwaja in Kera!a is so fIxed with a deviation of five angulams towards right of the deity (clock-wise) from the centre line to avoid any obstruction to the worshipper to see the idol even from the front gopuram. But in certain temples the idols cannot be seen from outside due to the peculiar type of construction of sreekovil.
The height of the dwaja above the ground level is determined in three ways. ie, 7, 9,10,11,12, 13, 15, 17 or 20 times of the dwaara-neela mentioned in the earlier paragraph or up to height of the sthoopika (thaazhikakkutam) of the sreekovil or prathi-yoni of the perimeter of the sreekovil. The length of the dwaja below the ground level is one-sixth or one seventh of the height above the ground level. The breadth of dwaja at the base is 1/4 or 1/5 or 1/6 of the height of the garbha-grha. The girth of the dwaja tapers towards top and, the breadth at its top is 1/7,1/9 or 1/10 of its breadth at the base. Generally, the height of the sthamba is less than the length from its base to the feet of the idol or the position of vaahana in the namaskaara-mamadapa. These stipulations are intended to avoid any possible damage to the idol or other intervening structures like agra-mandapa, valiambalam and namaskaara-mandapa in an unforseen event of falling of the dwaja. The log selected for the dwaja should be of good shape viz straight, round and free from any damage. Even the felling of the tree (teak is commonly used) is done carefully to avoid any possible damage. Thereafter, the log is kept in a medicated oil for 41 days before it is used.Recently, concrete poles are used instead of teak poles considering the scarcity and exhorbitant price of teak pole of the required height.
The structural details of dwaja-sthamba (Diagram 17) are also important.It comprises of naala, adhishthaana, padma, idols of dik-paalakas, paras, venta (valaya), maalasthaana, lasoona, mandilaka-palaka, yashti, veerakantha, vaahana, and other decorations. Naala is built with breadth equal to 1 or 1 ½ dand ( dwaaraneela) or 1 kole. Either granite slabs or laterite stones are used for making it. The dwaja is fixed in this naala after the purifIcation rites. All the other members of the dwaja are above the ground level, ie from vedika at the bottom upto vaahana on the top. All the measurements of those members are based on a different dand which is equal to the diameter of veerakantha which is the hypotenuse of the square at the top of the flag staff. This dand is different and is lesser than the dand based on dwaara neela. Over the naala is the vedika, which is above the ground level. It is square in shape with a length of 3 dands and a height of ½ a dand. The vedika, sometimes, is covered with brass or copper sheets. Over the adhishtaana is the padma which has members like lower patta (½/7), inverted padma (3/7), gala (1/7), padma (2/7) and upper patta(1/2/7). The width of padma varies depending on its height (h) ie. its width at the base is (7/ 16 )h, (9/ 16)h at the middle and (13/ 16)h diagonally at the tips of petals at the top. Over the padma is the position of idols of ashta-dik-paalakas. It is seen that the ashta-dik-paalakas are not installed in some dwaja-sthambas. The drums (paras) and bracelets (both in odd numbers) are carefully lowered down from the top of the dwaja and firmly fIxed. The space in between the log and the drum (para) is filled with paddy.After fixing all the drums, of same shape, one or two inverted palas in the shape of kalasa or lasoona (garlic shaped) each of one dand height are fixed.
Above it a flat thick square sheet is kept equal to the length of the diagonal at the top of the flag staff. On all sides of this sheet garlands are fIxed by hooks. The yashti (flag stick), with a length equal to height of garbha-dwaara, thickness of 1/8 of a dand (related to flag staff) and breadth equal to twice the thickness, is fixed diagonally to the flag staff. Over the lasoona is a kumbha, and again a padma each having a height of 1 dand. Over the last padma a square platform is built with sides of 2 ½ or 3 dands and thickness of ¼ dands. This platform is known as mandipalaka. Over it there is a square peetha of smaller size known as Veerakantha. Above all is the Vaahana of the principal deity. The vaahanas are different for each God/Goddess ie;bull for Siva, Garuda for Mahavishnu, Garuda over a bull for Sankaranarayana, mouse for Ganapathi, horse for Ayyappa, pea-cock or cock for Subramanya, lion for Bhagavathi (Durga), Vethala for Bhadrakali of Rurujith vidhaana and Natthu (a Malabar Owlet) for Chamudi. Diagram 17 gives the details of the dwaja-sthamba installed at the Subramanyaswamy temple, Peralassery (Kannur district). From the Diagram it can be seen that the yashti (flag stick) is 2 kole 4 angulams which is equal to the height of garbha-dwaara and the total height of the flag-staff is its 10 times ie 21 koles and 16 angulams from above the ground and its one-seventh below the ground. Generally the yashti should face the right side of the main deity. ie, if the deity faces east, yashtifaces south. However, there are exceptions where two yashtis are fixed in one dwaja in opposite directions, one longer and the other shorter, as in the case of Sree Krishna temple, Ambalappuzha. It is said that this is due to the authority of two Thanthris in the temple. However, the flag is hoisted on the longer yashti. In case there are two Thanthris and if there is only one yashti in a dwaja then at both ends (top and bottom) of the yashti, two rings are provided for hoisting the flag. However, the main Thanthri is given the right to hoist the flag at the top-ring of the yashti.
Above it a flat thick square sheet is kept equal to the length of the diagonal at the top of the flag staff. On all sides of this sheet garlands are fIxed by hooks. The yashti (flag stick), with a length equal to height of garbha-dwaara, thickness of 1/8 of a dand (related to flag staff) and breadth equal to twice the thickness, is fixed diagonally to the flag staff. Over the lasoona is a kumbha, and again a padma each having a height of 1 dand. Over the last padma a square platform is built with sides of 2 ½ or 3 dands and thickness of ¼ dands. This platform is known as mandipalaka. Over it there is a square peetha of smaller size known as Veerakantha. Above all is the Vaahana of the principal deity. The vaahanas are different for each God/Goddess ie;bull for Siva, Garuda for Mahavishnu, Garuda over a bull for Sankaranarayana, mouse for Ganapathi, horse for Ayyappa, pea-cock or cock for Subramanya, lion for Bhagavathi (Durga), Vethala for Bhadrakali of Rurujith vidhaana and Natthu (a Malabar Owlet) for Chamudi. Diagram 17 gives the details of the dwaja-sthamba installed at the Subramanyaswamy temple, Peralassery (Kannur district). From the Diagram it can be seen that the yashti (flag stick) is 2 kole 4 angulams which is equal to the height of garbha-dwaara and the total height of the flag-staff is its 10 times ie 21 koles and 16 angulams from above the ground and its one-seventh below the ground. Generally the yashti should face the right side of the main deity. ie, if the deity faces east, yashtifaces south. However, there are exceptions where two yashtis are fixed in one dwaja in opposite directions, one longer and the other shorter, as in the case of Sree Krishna temple, Ambalappuzha. It is said that this is due to the authority of two Thanthris in the temple. However, the flag is hoisted on the longer yashti. In case there are two Thanthris and if there is only one yashti in a dwaja then at both ends (top and bottom) of the yashti, two rings are provided for hoisting the flag. However, the main Thanthri is given the right to hoist the flag at the top-ring of the yashti.
The damage or decay of the dwaja is periodically checked. If it has been damaged or decayed it has to be removed after conducting a rite known as jeevodwaasa. The log so removed has to be cremated after due rites and should not be used for any other purpose. A new dwaja has then to be consecrated with all the rites associated with it. All these thaanthric rites are done after consulting a renowned astrologer and executed by the Thantri of the temple.
Aum Shivaya Namaha !!!
Aum Shivaya Namaha !!!
Comments
Post a Comment