Kalasha Puja is a sacred ritual in Hinduism performed to invoke the blessings of deities and seek their divine presence. It involves the worship of a Kalasha, a brass or copper pot filled with water and adorned with various auspicious items. The origins of Kalasha Puja can be traced back to ancient Vedic traditions, where it was believed to represent the cosmic manifestation and divine energy.
The Kalasha, representing the womb of creation and abundance, holds significant symbolic value. It is considered a sacred vessel embodying the divine energy and blessings of the deities invoked during the puja. The pot is decorated with coconut, mango leaves, and a sacred thread known as "moli" or "kalava." The water within the Kalasha symbolizes purity, life-giving energy, and the cosmic element of water.
To perform Kalasha Puja, one must first purify themselves through a ritual bath and wear clean clothes. The Kalasha is consecrated with the chanting of mantras and the offering of flowers, incense, and sacred substances such as sandalwood paste and vermilion. The puja is usually performed by a qualified priest or knowledgeable individual who follows specific rituals and recites hymns and prayers to invoke the presence and blessings of deities.
The purpose of Kalasha Puja is multifaceted. It is believed to bring prosperity, abundance, and positive energy into the home or place of worship. The puja seeks the blessings of various deities and celestial beings, inviting their divine grace and protection. It is also performed during significant occasions such as weddings, housewarming ceremonies, and festivals to sanctify the environment and create an auspicious atmosphere.
The symbolism of Kalasha Puja is profound. The Kalasha represents the universe, with its base symbolizing the earth, the neck symbolizing the atmosphere, and the mouth symbolizing the heavens. The water inside the Kalasha symbolizes the life force, purity, and sustenance. The coconut atop the Kalasha signifies divine consciousness and enlightenment, while the mango leaves represent fertility, growth, and prosperity.
Kalasha Puja holds immense importance in Hindu rituals and traditions. It serves as a means of connecting with the divine forces and seeking their blessings for spiritual, material, and emotional well-being. The puja instills a sense of reverence, devotion, and gratitude towards the divine, fostering a deeper spiritual connection and promoting harmony within oneself and the surrounding environment. Kalasha Puja is performed on various occasions, including festivals like Navratri, Diwali, and Durga Puja, as well as during specific rituals and ceremonies. It is often performed at the beginning of important events or ceremonies to purify the surroundings and invoke divine blessings. The timing and specific rituals may vary based on regional customs and individual practices, but the underlying essence remains the same – the veneration of the Kalasha as a sacred vessel representing the divine energy and invoking divine grace. Making a Kalash and doing Kalasha Puja is a good way to bring prosperity and wealth into your household. Kalasha Pooja Requirements
The requirements are not much. The pooja requires more devotion than the number of items to perform the same. In any case, these are the items that you will need to complete the pooja.
A bronze or copper pot.
Water or coins or any other precious items to fill the pot
Mango leaves to place on top of Kalash.
Coconut which to place in an inverted position on the Kalash
Flowers and incense sticks
Camphor to perform aarti Parsad (Matthew's Guyanese Cooking has a good recipe on how to make Parsad and I usually put the Parsad on a Banana Leaf Plate, but you can use a normal plate or saucer)
Why do we worship the Kalash?
It is performed for the fulfillment of specific desires. The desires can be as simple as for the welfare of oneself or one's family or for problems like attaining good health, the creation of wealth, education, marriage, having children, court cases, success in various endeavors, and so on.
Kalasha Pooja Procedure
Kalasha pooja procedure is actually quite simple that it can be performed at home. It is done by procedural observation of prayers after inviting a god or goddess to reside in the kalasha and fulfill the desires and wishes.
During the period of performing Kalasha Pooja, the devotee establishes a bond with the Divinity to receives Divine Grace every day. Performing Kalash Pooja fills the home with sacred positive energy. It also raises one's spiritual power and takes them a step closer to god.
Kalash Pujan Vidhi or Procedure
This pooja can be conducted either in the morning or in the evening. The following steps describe the procedure in detail.
The very first step is to identify a place where the Kalash can be kept undisturbed for 21 days. Once that is done, the next essential step is to clean the area thoroughly. After that, draw a beautiful rangoli and place a platform or small stool. After covering them with a white cloth, check for its sturdiness once.
Take one coconut. Apply turmeric paste evenly on the same and ensure it is covered entirely in turmeric. Then set it aside for some time to dry.
Take a copper or brass vessel (kalash) and fill it with either water or coins or jewels in it. Add in a bit of dye and sindoor to the water. If you have added in water, then put in few tulsi leaves and few coins in the water. Once the kalsa is filled, its time to close it. So now place the 5 mango leaves with the stalks dipped in water and leave spreading outwards. Now place the turmeric (dye) applied coconut on these leaves. This makes your poorna kalash pooja ready.
Place the poorna kalash on the plate, which has rice grains spread out on it evenly. Place the entire set on the stool or the platform that you put in to place Kalash on top. You can now decorate the kalash with flowers. Place the god or the goddess photo that you are planning to invoke in front of this.
Once your kalash is ready and is in its place, you cannot move it for 21 days. After placing the kalash, it's time for the sankalpa. Sankalpa is the process of letting the deity know for what purpose the kalash is kept and is being worshipped. It is also a way of seeking permission from the deity to worship them for fulfilling their wishes.
After the sankalpa is over chant, it's time for you to worship the deity with utmost dedication. Know the mula mantra (main mantra) related to the god or goddess being worshipped and chant it 108 times (I use a Jaap Mala to help me keep track of the mantras). Remember to offer akshatas and flowers to the kalash every time you finish the chant. After this offer, the parsad to the god and kalash and bow with utmost sincerity. Continue the same procedure for 21 days.
At the end of the 21 days, remove kalash from its place. Sprinkle the energized water of the kalash around the house. If you have placed coins, take a few of them and put it in your purse, pooja place, and money lockers to ensure a continuous flow of wealth. You can donate the rest of the coins to the temple or use it for that benefit the people around you.
The coconut place on the kalash can be taken as Parsad, and you can use it for cooking sweets savories. Rice is used for abundance and fertility, coins for wealth, and Haldi for auspiciousness. Have fun making one yourself! Thank you so much for reading this post. Make sure to give it a heart and comment on what you think I should do next! Om Shree Mahakali Shakti Mata Ki, Jai! - Jai Bhadrakali Community
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