Kalasha

A kalasha, also called Pūrṇa-Kalaśa, Pūrṇa-Kumbha, Pūrṇa-Ghaṭa, also called ghat or ghot or kumbh (Sanskrit: कलश kalaśa, Telugu: కలశము Kannada: ಕಳಶ literally "pitcher, pot"), is a metal (brass, copper, silver or gold) pot with a large base and small mouth.

It is employed in the rituals in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions as a ceremonial offering to the deity or to an honoured guest and as an auspicious symbol used to decorate shrines and buildings.

[2] Sometimes "kalasha" also refers to such a pot filled with water and topped with a coronet of mango leaves and a coconut.

[3][4] Before their depiction on stone, terracotta kalash were used as decorative feature placed on roof-tops of buildings and it is now mostly used on temples roofs called Mandir Kalasha.

[6] The Kalasha is believed to contain amrita, the elixir of life, and thus is viewed as a symbol of abundance, wisdom, and immortality.

[7] The Purna-Kalasha is believed to be a symbol of auspiciousness embodying either Ganesha, remover of obstacles, or his mother Gauri, the goddess of household bounty or Lakshmi.

In this context, the metal pot or Kalasha represents material things: a container of fertility - the earth and the womb, which nurtures and nourishes life.

The mango leaves associated with Kama, the god of love, symbolize the pleasure aspect of fertility.

The wide base of metal pot represents the element Prithvi (Earth), the expanded centre - Ap (water), neck of pot - Agni (fire), the opening of the mouth - Vayu (air), and the coconut and mango leaves - Akasha (aether).

Purnakumbha represents health, longevity, wealth, prosperity, wisdom and symbolizes the Buddha's infinite quality of teaching the dharma.