Visiting a Hindu temple is considered one of the most virtuous acts, offering spiritual solace and connection with the divine. While every part of the temple holds deep significance, the Dwajasthambam, or temple flagstaff, carries a unique role that integrates architecture, ritual, and spirituality. Positioned near the sanctum, this sacred pole acts as the temple’s spiritual spine, a festival marker, and a symbol of divine energy.
What is a Dwajasthambam?
The Dwajasthambam, also known as Kodimaram, is the tall wooden or stone flagstaff erected near the bali pitham (sacrificial altar) and the deity’s vahana (vehicle) in Hindu temples. Found predominantly in South Indian temples, it is traditionally finished with a metal covering called kavaca, often made of copper, silver, bronze, or panchaloha (five-metal alloy), enhancing both durability and sanctity.
Lexicographically and architecturally, the Dwajasthambam is described as the temple’s flagpole positioned before the main pavilion (mukhamandapa). It is more than a structural feature; it is a ritualistic and symbolic element that anchors worship practices and marks the temple’s presence within the community.
Placement and Symbolism
The flagstaff is strategically placed along the temple axis, typically between the gopuram (tower) and the main mandapa. Many flagpoles feature three horizontal perches, known as mekhala, which point toward the sanctum. These are often interpreted as representing the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. In addition, emblematic details like bells or representations of the deity’s vahana atop or near the pole guide devotees’ focus toward the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).
Symbolically, the Dwajasthambam represents the victory of dharma over darkness. Its vertical form, likened to a human spine (jeevadhara), channels the temple’s energy, connecting the sanctum with the outer world. The three-tiered design can also mirror human energy centers and divine channels: just as the spine has 32 vertebrae, the Dwajasthambam is constructed with 32 rings, representing the flow of prana and spiritual energy. The base symbolizes Brahma, the polygonal middle section Vishnu (Perumal), and the cylindrical top portion Shiva, encompassing the three principal deities in Hindu philosophy.
Ritual Roles and Festival Significance
In festival-ready temples, the Dwajasthambam is essential for Dwajarohanam, the ritual of hoisting the flag to announce the start of major celebrations. The festival flag often carries the deity’s vahana, along with auspicious symbols like the sun, moon, trident, or conch. During the Karthigai (Karthika) month, the flagstaff is also used to raise the Aakasa Deepam, sending light skyward and symbolizing divine illumination.
Beyond festivals, the Dwajasthambam functions as a protective element. Many traditions hold that a temple without this sacred pole is incomplete and vulnerable to negative forces, reinforcing its role as a guardian of spiritual energy. Devotees often pause at the flagstaff to offer their respects, performing prayers and circumambulating it along with the bali pitham and vahana, aligning with Agamic and local customs.
Architectural Design and Construction
The Dwajasthambam is meticulously designed according to Agamic principles. It typically consists of three sections:
- Square base – representing Brahma.
- Polygonal middle section – representing Vishnu.
- Cylindrical top portion – representing Shiva.
The flagstaff is often crafted from a single tree or stone, ensuring structural integrity. Its height is carefully regulated; it must not exceed the main gopuram, and its distance from the sanctum is precisely measured to maintain balance in the temple layout. The top often carries three interconnected perches, sometimes with bells or sculpted deities, while the base rests on a lotus-petal pedestal.
The design is not merely symbolic; practical considerations like metal cladding and height serve functional purposes, such as durability, lightning protection, and alignment along the temple’s vertical axis to facilitate energy flow.
Spiritual Energy Connection
Agamic and traditional temple texts liken the Dwajasthambam to the human spine, with prana flowing through it much like life force in our body. The Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna channels are reflected in the pole’s design, guiding devotees’ focus toward meditation on the divine. The pole acts as a conductor, dispersing the sanctum’s energy across the temple and into the surrounding community, while also helping ward off negativity in conjunction with the bali pitham.
Practitioners believe that properly worshipping near the Dwajasthambam allows devotees to receive divine grace, align with cosmic energies, and cultivate spiritual well-being.
Devotional Etiquette
Worship at the Dwajasthambam involves more than mere touching or standing. Traditional practices encourage:
- Circumambulation (Pradakshina) – including the bali pitham, vahana, and flagstaff. Prostration – men perform Ashtanga Namaskaram (eight-limbed), while women perform
- Panchanga Namaskaram (five-limbed), ensuring respectful alignment with Agamic principles.
- Avoiding the presence of other sanctums behind during full prostration. Chanting only holy mantras and expressing personal prayers near the flagstaff.
- This structured approach allows devotees to honour the sacredness of the Dwajasthambam, aligning physical gestures with spiritual intention.
The Dwajasthambam is far more than a decorative flagpole; it is the temple’s spiritual spine, a festival herald, and a conduit for divine energy. By pausing, praying, and performing the traditional circumambulation, devotees can engage deeply with the sacred energy of the temple, reflecting the profound philosophy embedded in Hindu temple culture.
Next time you visit a temple, take a moment to pause before the Dwajasthambam. Its towering presence not only signals the start of divine celebrations but also serves as a reminder of the harmony between the physical, spiritual, and cosmic realms, a true embodiment of dharma raised high for all to see.
