Significance of KUMBHA in the concept of Kumbhamela
What does the term 'Kumbha' signify… Literally Kumbha means water pot; it signifies a container and water in the pot. In a religious parlance Kumbha is compared with Kalasha which is nothing but Pot (Ghata) containing water with other ingredients. Kalasha (Kumbha) is considered as highly auspicious and sacred symbol in Hindu religion. A Kalasha can generally be one of the following viz. earthen, copper, brass, silver, gold depending on one’s capacity and occasion. Kumbha is also an astrological sign Aquarius (Kumbha Raasi) 11 th house in the natural zodiac whose Lord is Saturn. Traditionally we come across Kalasha being used in all the Hindu religious rituals viz. Nithya Karma; Deva Kaarya (Daily Pooja, Homa, Vratha etc.); Subha Kaarya (Marriage, Gruha Pravesa etc.); Pithru Kaarya. Apart from the above we also come across Kalasha being used on special occasions like while welcoming a distinguished personality (Poorna-Kumbha); In temple rituals we come across ...