Kalasha

Kalasha

Kalasha is an auspicious symbol which is prepared on all occasions like housewarming, wedding, daily worship, etc It is also kept at the entrance of house as a symbol for welcoming the visitors. It is a tradition to enter the house while holding the Kalasha on the head to welcome happiness in the house. It embodies Ganesha the remover of obstacles, his mother Gauri and Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance.

No structure of the temple is complete without a Kalasha.

What is Kalasha?

It is a pot with a small mouth and a large base, whose mouth is large enough to hold a coconut on its top. A Kalasha is usually made up of mud, copper or brass and also you could find it filled with cereals, gems, grains, and water or with their combination too. Its topped with mango leaves is such a manner that the leaves are touching the water in the pot. The coconut is covered with a red cloth with a thread tied around the neck of the pot, keeping mind that coconut's head is not covered. This arrangement is called Purnakumbha.

Kalasha is a Vedic motif known since the time of Rigveda. Also stated as "overflowing full vase" ie Purno-asyya  Kalasha.

In our Vedic literature it is known by various names like Dronakalasha, Putabhrut, Adhavaniya, Soma-Kalasha, Chandra-Kalasha,Indra-Kumbha,,Mangalaghata,Purnaghta,Purna-Virakamsya or Bhadraghata

SYMBOLIC

Entire set up Kalasha represents deep messages.

Metal Pot: Container of Fertility, akin to Earth and a womb which creates life.

Water: Life giving property of nature.

Leaves and the Coconut:  Creation

Thread: the Universal consciousness that brings oneness in the universe.

In other words, a Kalasha signifies the 5 essentials of our environment.

"The widespread base of the pot representing Earth, the extended center -Water, the neck of the pot-Fire, Mouth of a pot Air, coconut and mango leaves- Heavens."

ANCIENT TALES

There are various folktales surrounding the importance and meaning of Kalasha one of them is-

It said Kalasha was created when Gods and Demons were churning the ocean, Lord Vishwakarma created the Kalasha to hold amrita(the holy Nector) and blessed God with eternal life.which exemplifies eternity and timelessness. Men of knowledge are also compared with the Kalasha as they are full and complete with knowledge and wisdom. They overspill with jubilance and Dignity and we welcome them as Purnakumbha.

In nutshell, this simple structure has an important role in Indian culture and gives deep messages for mankind to imbibe and benefit from.

Thank you