Jajpur’s Shubha Stambha – An Ode to Lord Vishnu

AUTHOR Akshay Chavan
PUBLISHED 28 August 2023
BOOKMARK

Nestled among the homes and shops of old Jajpur in India, lies a hidden treasure. The Shubha Stambha is a magnificent monolithic pillar, standing almost 19 feet tall, that will take your breath away. Its grandeur is unmatched, and it's a testament to the incredible legacy of the Somavanshi kings who once made Jajpur their capital. As you gaze up at the Shubha Stambha, you can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The intricate carvings that adorn its surface are a sight to behold. Despite the passing of time and the destruction of many great buildings, this majestic pillar still stands tall and proud. It's hard to believe that such a remarkable piece of history can be found in such an unassuming location. But that's what makes the Shubha Stambha so special. It's a reminder that there is beauty and wonder to be found in unexpected places. The Shubhastambha as a ‘Garuda Pillar’ ‘Shubha Stambha’ at Jajpur is actually a ‘Garuda Pillar’ dedicated to Lord Vishnu. During the ancient and the medieval period, such monolithic pillars were erected in from of Vishnu Temples and on top of these pillars stood a statue of Garuda, the ‘Vahana’ of Vishnu’. The oldest known Garuda Pillar in India is at Besnagar in Madhya Pradesh. A number of such monolithic pillars can be found across India. The most famous among them is the ‘Aruna Pillar’ that stands outside the Jagannatha temple at Puri. While it is dedicated to Aruna, the Charioteer of the Sun God, the Aruna Pillar can be closely compared to the Shubha Stambha at Jajpur. Both the pillars are similar in height and design , but the Aruna pillar is more slender than Jajpur’s Shubha Stambha. The pillar is 31 ft high and is divided into three parts – the base, the main pillar and the capital. At the base has two holes, where once stood an inscription or a copper plate of the King , who commissioned this pillar. The main pillar is a monolith of 19 ft and is carved as a 16-sided stone pillar. The capital is carved like a sixteen petalled lotus on which once stood the statue of a Garuda. Sadly, this statue has disappeared with time. According to historians, the Shubha Stambha in Jajpur was originally locat ...