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The sacred pitcher occupies pride of place in the Indian home. Usually placed afore the altar of one’s ishtahead in the poojana-kaksha, its particular arrangement called a kalasha is of especial ceremonial significance. The one that you see on this page is a handheld brass pitcher; its wide mouth is to be plugged with a bed of mango leaves, on which a coconut is to be lain as an offering. Such a poornakalasha (whole vessel, referring to the arrangement) is the ritual personification of plenty and prosperity.A preeminently Vedic motif, the kalasha is integral to Jain dharma as well as Indian art and architecture of as early as the 5th century. Symbolically, it contains amrta (the elixir of life) and bestows immortality as well as the wisdom required to sustain it. Not only is it a liturgical element, but it is also found in abundance in Indian iconography - say, in one or two of the hands of the trinity or any of the devis. This finely finished, thick-mouthed pitcher would be a valuable addition to your ritual implements.
