Dwajasthambam or Kodimaram: Everything you need to know about it

Dwajasthambam, also known as Kodimaram, is a flagstaff commonly seen in Hindu temples across South India and Sri Lanka.

It is normally seen between the Gopuram and the Maha Mandapa (Main hall) of the temple and is usually accompanied by balipeetam and vahana of the temple’s deity.

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Why do temples need a Dwajasthambam?

Temple construction is based on the description in the Agamic scriptures, Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra.

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

They also clearly point to the need for Dwajasthambam in the temple. So, temples built according to the Agamaic rules usually have a Dwajasthambam.

Differences in Dwajasthambam

Dwajastambham differs based on the main deity of that temple and also the Agamas they follow ( Shaiva and Vaishnava)

In Shivate temples, one can observe the trident or the statue of Nandi on the top of the flagstaff. In Vaishnavaite temples, it is Chakra (Sudarshana) or the statue of Hanuman, depending upon the deity.

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

Structure and Construction

Dwajasthambam is a long pillar-like structure commonly seen with three horizontal perches on its top. These perches point towards the Garbhagriha and have tiny bells attached to them that can make pleasant sounds when the wind blows.

These three interconnected horizontal perches are called Mekhala or Mekalai.

Every Dwajasthambam may not look the same as mentioned above. Some may have only a single perch or may not have any. Instead, they may end with a small platform for placing a deepam (earthen lamp). But the common ones found are with the three horizontal perches.

The flagstaff base is seated on a large square structure with a row of lotus petals arranged circularly on its top. Kodimarams also have deities sculptured on the four sides near their base.

All the parts of the Kodimaram are usually covered with copper, silver, or gold sheets.

Height, Shape, and Materials Used

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

Normally, Dwajastambam’s are made of wood. However, those made up of stone can also be used. The point to be noted is they must be of a single origin. Stone dwajasthambams are vividly used in some areas of Telangana and Karnataka.

All the parts of the wood Kodimaram are usually covered with copper, silver, or gold sheets.

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

The shape of Dwajastambam can be round, square, hexagonal, and even octagonal.

Dwajastambams can be any size that fits like a flagstaff, and there is no clear restriction about height. However, many believe that height is important and should be at least equal to the Sikara.

A clear distance between the dwajasthambam and the main deity in the garbhalayam should be maintained. Even if it falls, it should not touch the garbhalayam, especially the deity’s idol.

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Significance of Dwajasthambam

Like the Moola Virat (the Main Idol of the deity) and the Utsava Vigrahas (the Idols used in temple festivals), several other things in the temple are very important for worship as they are considered to be 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.

The dwajastambas are given immense importance in Shaiva scriptures. They say that offering prayers, contributing to planting a dwajastambha, or even just seeing itself gives punya.

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

Dwajasthambam is required for temples that conduct Utsavas(Festivals). 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 the ritual of dwajarohanam in which a flag is 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.

Customs to be followed

Worship of dwajasthambam is a must before entering the mandaps and Sanctorum sanctum. One should touch the dwastambam and do namaskar before entering the mahamandapa.

If you can’t touch it, you can pray in your heart and do a namaskar. If possible, men should perform a sastanga namaskara, and for women, panchanga namaskara.

While performing the pradakshina (Circumambulation), one should also include the vahana, balipeetam and dwajastambam areas. All the due respect that we pay before the main diety must also be given to the dwajastambam.