Kalasha (finial)

A kalasha (Sanskrit: कलश, romanized: kalaśa) is a finial, generally in the form of metal or stone spire, used to top the domes of Hindu temples.

[2] Kalashas as architectural feature has been used at least before the first millennium BCE and were made of terracotta and wood during this early period.

Present in the form of an inverted pot with a point facing the sky, kalashas are prominent elements of temple architecture.

According to the Aitareya Brahmana, a golden kalasha is regarded to represent a sun upon the summit of a deity's dwelling, the temple.

Many temples like Ellora Caves, Hampi and Mahabalipuram still have these stone kalashas.

Kalashas on top of a gopuram
Kalashas of Srirangam temple.
They were historically also used on various urban architecture as depicted on 1st century BCE relief. [ 1 ]
Kalashas and Kirtimukha ("glorious face").
Kalashas of Srirangam temple.