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A Kalasha comprises a metallic or
earthen pot filled with water on whose mouth
mango leaves are placed and a coconut placed
over it. The pot may be decorated with designs
or threads would be wound around it.
The pot is then filled with water or rice
grains and placed over a plate of plantain leaf covered with paddy. Such an arrangement is
known as purnakumbha.
Kalasha is worshipped with appropriate
rituals on all auspicious occasions like the
traditional house warming (gruhapravesa),
wedding, daily worship etc.
Any form of God can be invoked in the
Kalasha. The water in the kalasha symbolizes
the primordial water from which the entire
creation emerged.
The leaves and coconut represent the
manifestation of life during the creation.
The thread represents the love that
“binds” all in creation. The kalasha is therefore
considered auspicious and worshipped.
Moreover the waters is considered to be the
best conductor and retainer of potency of mantras. Hence first the diety of waters,
namely Varuna is invoked along with the
waters from all the holy rivers, the knowledge
of all the Vedas and the blessings of all the
deities. When a mantra is repeated in such a
circumstances the kalasha water receives its
potency, and then its water is used for all the
rituals, including the abhisheka.
The kalasha therefore symbolizes
immortality and completeness. Since, Men of
wisdom are full and complete as they identify
with the infinite Truth (poornatvam) they are
traditionally accorded welcome with Purna
Kumbha.