Kalasha

Kalasham:

Kalasha is an auspicious symbol of Hindu culture. It is made of brass, mud or copper. Kalasha is a Pot full of water, with 5, 7, or 11 fresh leaves of the mango tree, so that the leaves touch water in the Kalasham. The coconut is sometimes wrapped with a red cloth and red thread; the top of the coconut is kept uncovered. A sacred thread is tied around the pot.

Cultural Beliefs:

A Kalasha is an auspicious symbol of Hindu culture and is placed on all-important occasions like the traditional house warming, wedding, daily worship etc. It is believed to be a symbol of auspiciousness embodying either Ganesh, remover of obstacles, or his mother Gauri, the goddess of household Lakshmi.

As per the Hindu Mythology, Lord Vishnu was leaning on the snake-bed in the milky ocean. From His navel emerged a lotus from which appeared Lord Brahma (the creator). Kalasham was generated during the churning of the ocean (Samudra manthan). Lord Vishnu held Kalasham filled with amrutham during churning of the ocean. All the deities were inside the Kalasham. So Kalasham has an important place in many of the puja rituals.

During Kumba Abhishekam the water is used from kalasham as it involves purity. Also during the house warming (Gruha pravesham), weddings and some special festivals kalasham is used.

A kalasham is very much important in the Hindu rituals conducted during housewarming (Gruha Pravesham), weddings, and some special during festival occasions.

Kalasham Pooja procedure:

• The worshipping of the kalasham is very beneficial and auspicious.
• Kalasham has to be ready by brahma muhurtam time.
• We have to lean forward and touch the kalasham with the palms and breathe in and breathe out.
• Repeat the step for 3 times.
• Now focus eyes and concentrate the mind on the kalasham and think of goals in the life.
• The worshipping of the kalasham will create a foundation and destroys the unhappiness in the materialistic world.

 Intersting Facts:

• In Sanskrit, "Kal" means tendency. "sha" means Lord Shiva.so the worship of the kalasham is worshipping of Lord Shiva himself. Kalasham represents the resist motion of body which when filled with the divine life force gains the power to do many wonderful things.Water in the Kalasham represents the entire creation came out.
• Mango Leaves on the kalasham represent the forms of life.
• Coconut on the Kalasham tells us that the forms of life are filled with water that represents the endless cycle (creation).
• The thread tied is love that is bind to the creation.
• Kalasham can be established for one, three, seven, nine, eleven days, or one month, four months, eight months.
• One should have complete faith after the establishment of the kalasham to attain truth and prosperity.

 Scientific Reasons:

• Kalasham is source of energy and increases the emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual strengths.
• The water which in the inside the kalasham is pure and will stay for long period of time as the divine energy will be there.
• Coconut is put on the top so that the atmosphere principles are carried in to the water.