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. 

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.

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.

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.

Interesting Facts: 

The following points are the Do's and Don’ts inside the Temple:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. The temple complex is a sacred place where you can access the divine energy according to ones 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.
5. 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 / sanadhi :

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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.