Kalasha (finial)

A ''kalasha'' () is a finial, generally in the form of metal or stone spire, used to top the domes of Hindu temples. Kalashas as architectural feature has been used at least before the first millennium BCE and were made of terracotta and wood during this early period. They were used as decorative element placed on top of various types of buildings. They are mainly restricted to temple architecture in the contemporary period.

Present in the form of an inverted pot with a point facing the sky, kalashas are prominent elements of temple architecture. According to the ''Aitareya Brahmana'', a golden kalasha is regarded to represent a sun upon the summit of a deity's dwelling, the temple.

Most kalashams are made of metal and some of stone. The view of the ''gopuram'' (temple tower) is one of the important rituals of Hindu worship along with view of the '' dhvaja stambha'' (temple flag mast). These gopurams are usually topped with ornamental kalashas. Kalashas are consecrated during the ''kumbhabhishekam'' ceremony and are venerated during ''puja''s.

Types

There are four types of ''kalashas'':

* ''Singakalasha'': It is shaped like the horn of a bull.
* ''Trikalasha'': This is a group of three long kalashas. It is mostly used on gopurams and main gates.
* ''Matakakalasha'': This kalasha is shaped like pitchers and earthenware pots. It appears as if pots have been placed on top of one another.
* ''Golakalasha'': This kalasha is round and has a very small and fine tip on top.

Materials

Kalashas are mostly made of metal. The main metals used are bronze and copper. In famous temples like Tirupati, noble metals like gold and silver are used.{{cite book , last1=Neelima , first1=Kota , title=Tirupati: A Guide to Life , date=2 November 2012 , publisher=Random House India , isbn=978-81-8400-359-8 , page=39 , language=en

In ancient times, temples carved out of stone had stone kalashas. Many temples like Ellora Caves, Hampi and Mahabalipuram still have these stone kalashas. In parts of South India, kalashas made of wood are common.

Gallery

File:IA Temple 40 Sanchi.jpg, Conjectural reconstruction of the wooden 'Temple 40' at Sanchi, burnt down in the 2nd century BCE.
File:Bhima Ratha Pancha Rathas Mahabalipuram India - panoramio (1).jpg, Bhima Ratha temple with rows of kalasha (now damaged) at Mahabalipuram, 600s CE.
File:Ganesha Ratha Mahabalipuram Sep22 A7C 02582.jpg, Ganesha temple at Mahabalipuram, 600s CE.
File:Detail of Golden Roof, Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.jpg, Golden roof tiles with rows of kalashas at Nataraja temple, Chidambaram, 907–955 CE.
File:Thanjavur Brihadeeswara Temple Entrance.JPG, Thajavur Brihadeeswara, 1010 CE
File:The pictresque Jagannath Temple of Odisha.jpg, Jagannath temple, 1112-1216 CE
File:Tri Kalash.jpg, ''Trikalasha'' (three kalashas) on a gopuram in Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
File:Matka Kalash.jpg, A metal matakakalasha
File:Kailash temple Kalash.jpg, Stone carved kalasha, Kailasha Temple, Ellora Caves
File:Badrinath temple kalash.jpg, Trikalasha, Badrinath Temple
File:Top of the Gopura of Belur Vishnu temple Karnataka India, Kalasa.jpg, Singa kalasha, Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
File:Kalash shirdi temple.jpg, Matakakalasha, Shree Samadhi Mandir, Shirdi
File:Jagannath-dham.jpg, Golakalasha, Jagannath Temple, Puri
File:Ambaji temple kalash.jpg, Singa kalasha, Abu Ambaji Temple, Gujarat

References

Hindu temple architecture