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Akalasha, also calledPūrṇa-Kalaśa,Pūrṇa-Kumbha,Pūrṇa-Ghaṭa, also calledghat orghot orkumbh (Sanskrit:कलशkalaśa, Telugu: కలశము Kannada: ಕಳಶ literally "pitcher, pot"), is a metal (brass,copper,silver orgold) 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 ofmango leaves and a coconut. This combination is often used inHindu rites and depicted inHindu iconography. The entire arrangement is calledPurna-Kalasha (पूर्णकलश),Purna-Kumbha (पूर्णकुम्भ), orPurna-ghata (पूर्णघट). Each of these names literally means "full or complete vessel" when the pot is referred to as the Kalasha (to avoid confusion, this article will refer to the pot as Kalasha and the entire arrangement as Purna-Kalasha).
Sometimes the Kalasha is filled with coins, grain, gems, gold, or a combination of these items instead of water. The coronet of 5, 7, or 11 mango leaves is placed such that the tips of the leaves touch water in the Kalasha. The coconut is sometimes wrapped with a red cloth and red thread; the top of the coconut (calledShira – literally "head") is kept uncovered. A sacred thread is tied around the metal pot. The Shira is kept facing the sky.
The Kalasha is viewed as an auspicious object inJainism. The Kalasha is used as a ceremonial object as well as a decorative motif inIndian art andarchitecture. The Kalasha motif was used in decorating bases andcapitals of pillars during 1st century BCE and 1st century CE.[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 calledMandir Kalasha.[5]
The Purna-Kalasha is considered a symbol of abundance and "source of life" in theVedas. Purna-Kumbha is preeminently aVedic motif, known from the time ofRigveda. It is also called Soma-Kalasha, Chandra-Kalasha, Indra-Kumbha, Purnaghata, Purna-Virakamsya, Bhadra ghata, or Mangala ghata. It is referred to as "overflowing full vase" (purno-asya Kalasha) in the Vedas.[6]
The Kalasha is believed to containamrita, the elixir of life, and thus is viewed as a symbol of abundance, wisdom, and immortality. The Kalasha is often seen in Hindu iconography as an attribute, in the hands of Hindu deities like the creator godBrahma, the destroyer godShiva as a teacher, and the goddess of prosperityLakshmi.[7]
The Purna-Kalasha is believed to be a symbol of auspiciousness embodying eitherGanesha, remover of obstacles, or his motherGauri, the goddess of household bounty orLakshmi. The Purna-Kalasha is worshipped in all Hindu festivities related to marriage and childbirth, as a mother goddess orDevi. In this context, the metal pot or Kalasha represents material things: a container of fertility - the earth and thewomb, which nurtures and nourishes life. The mango leaves associated withKama, the god of love, symbolize the pleasure aspect of fertility. The coconut, a cash crop, represents prosperity and power. The water in the pot represents the life-giving ability of Nature.[8]
Sometimes, a silver or brass face of the Goddess is attached over the coconut of the Purna-Kalasha. In this form, the Purna-Kalasha symbolizes the Goddess as the manifestation of mother earth with her water, minerals, and vegetation. This method ofKalashpooja (worship) has come in forVishnu in household functions too.[9]
The Purna-Kalasha is also worshipped at Hindu ceremonies likeGriha Pravesha (house warming), child naming,havan (fire-sacrifice),Vaastu dosha rectification, and daily worship.
Other interpretations of the Purna-Kalasha associate with the fiveelements or thechakras. The wide base of metal pot represents the elementPrithvi (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). In contexts of chakras, theShira (literally "head") - top of the coconut symbolizesSahasrara chakra and theMoola (literally "base") - base of Kalasha - theMuladhara chakra.[10]
A kalash is placed with due rituals on all important occasions. It is placed near the entrance as a sign of welcome.
The Kalasha is a symbol of the nineteenthTirthankaraMallinatha. It is also included in theAshtamangala lists of both theŚvetāmbara andDigambara sects ofJainism. Two eyes are depicted around the Kalasha, symbolising right faith and right knowledge. It is used for religious and social ceremonies. It is used in temples when certain images are being worshipped. When one enters a new home it is customary to carry the kalasha on the head reciting mantras. This ceremony is performed to welcome grace and happiness into the new home. They first appear in stone in during 1st century BCE and 1st century CE.[11][12]
The Pūrṇakumbha refers to “full vessel” or "auspicious abundance" inBuddhism. It is used as flower offering to Buddha and Bodhisattvas at prayer alters, as well as representing treasure of wisdom. Purnakumbha represents health, longevity, wealth, prosperity, wisdom and symbolizes the Buddha's infinite quality of teaching the dharma.[13] Japanese art ofIkebana emerged from this Buddhist floral offering tradition.[14]
A variant of the Kalasha calledPurna Kumbha orPurna Ghataka fromAmaravati archaeological site is part of the officialstate emblem ofAndhra Pradesh state inIndia.[15][16]
With the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the 6th century, the custom of offering flowers on the Buddhist altar became common. As indicated by the use of the Chinese character meaning "flower" is the names of sutras such as the "Kegon-kyo (Avatamsaka Sutra)" and "Hokke-kyo (Lotus Sutra)," from the beginning flowers have been deeply related to Buddhism. Lotus is widely found in India where Buddhism originated, and it is a representative flower for Buddhist offerings. In Japan, however, other suitable flowers for each season were selected for this purpose. Among various ways of Buddhist offering, placing Mitsugusoku, a set of three ceremonial objects - flower vase, incense burner and candle holder – became popular in the Kamarura and Nanbokucho periods.
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