The Village of The Coloumn of Honour
But for the magnificent 9th Century complex of Jains shrines, the remote three street village may not even merit a signboard on the main road . We don't know if the habitation had any other name in antiquity, but today, it is called Kambadahalli , or "The Village of the Pillar" - so notable and visible is the Kamba, the said Pillar. It about 50 feet tall, made stone , with a 16 faceted shaft mounted on an octagonal base, at the apex of which , upon a square phalaka, sits a figure popularly called Brahmadeva Yaksha (or Yaksha Sarvanubhuti, according to some.) The technical Jain word for this kamba is Manasthambha = The Coloumn of Honour . In Jain belief, a Manasthambha stands at the entrance of Samavasarana ( "Divine Preaching Hall" ) where Tirtankaras ( "The Ford Builders" ) dwell, disseminating knowledge of Dharma . The very sight of this Coloumn is said to rid the aspirant entering the holy place of Pride and other Negativities , so th