''Kirti Stambha'' - a place of Jain pilgrimage in Chittorgarh of Rajasthan

A stambha in India often refers to  a tower or a pillar (tower in English) is a pillar and it has a mythological connotation. in the Hindu mythology Hindu mythology, it is a cosmic column connecting heaven  (Swargam) and earth (Prithvi).   It also implies a cosmic  column  of fire  (Agni)  as displayed by God Shiva . There are references to  stambha  in  Hindu scriptures  like the Atharva 

 

1847 image of Kirti stambha  en.wikipedia.org/

Stambhas are also parts of   Indian architecture. and there are different types:   

Dhwajasthambha in a Hindu temple. wikiwand.com

Dhwaja Stambha (Flagstaff  pole or pillar) is commonly built in all Hindu temples right before the shrines.  before the beginning of festivities, the custom has been that the temple flag is hoisted on the Dwajasthambham.


recent image of Kirti stambha  en.wikipedia.org/


Kirti Stambha  & Vijaya Stambha: Both are victory towers . Example Ashoka  Stambha built at several places in India bearing royal edicts.  .  

Adi Purana refers to a huge manastambha or pillar built in front of   the samavasarana of the tirthankaras. The spiritual implication is the visitors must shed their  pride, presumption and ego before entering a sanctified place.


Kirthi stanbah, Chittorgarh, rajasthan tourmyindia.com

Above image:    Built in Solanki architecture inside the Chittor fort by Biherwal Mahajan Sanaya,  Kirti Stambh is dedicated to  Rishabha, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. It is 30 feet wide at the base and narrows down to 15 feet at the top.   It is a 7 story structure with a   statue of  five-feet-high Rishabha and the intricate carvings represent the Digambar sect.  To access higher levels there is  a narrow stairway.   Atop  floor there is  an observation hall to look around the city from the top.  Lots of followers of Jainism visit this tower to worship Lord Adinath.  The tower has  holy figures  and saints from the Jain pantheon; hence, Kirti Stambh is considered a major Jain pilgrimage by many Jainism followers....................


This  12th century stampaha called  Kirti Stambha  was built by a Jain merchant Jeeja Bhagerwala  (inscriptions mention his name) during the reign of Rawal Kumar Singh in c. 1179–1191 CE.   It is a tall one   22 meters (72 ft). The Chittor town was once a major Jain religious center centuries back. This town was associated with various Jain  scholars.  From the 15th to 17th centuries, it was the seat of a Bhattaraka, a form of jain worship.    The structure dates from the 13th century, though  unrelated Jain inscriptions  of 896 AD were  found in the vicinity.   Kirti Stambha seems to be  older than another tower in the same fort, known as the Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory).

Vijay stambha, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan you tube.com


Above image. The other stambha inside the Chittor fort, Rajasthan  is Vijay Stambha or Victory Tower . Also  known as tower of fame, it was constructed by Rana Kumbha in 1448 to commemorate his victory over the combined Islamic armies led by Mahmud Khilji. The tower is dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu. The tower is 37.19 m high and was built by Ar. 'Sutradhara' Jaita.  Chittorgarh fort, one of the largest in India  was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries; in 1303 Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 Emperor Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who left the fort and founded Udaipur.  Chittor was once the capital of Mewar. 

https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/rajasthan/kirti-stambh-chittorgarh.html

https://www.holidify.com/places/chittorgarh/kirti-stambh-sightseeing-1581.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirti_Stambha