A large number of prayer bowls upside down within the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapor, Chennai, India
Poorna Kumba literally means a full pitcher ("poorna" is full and "kumbha" is pitcher). The Poorna Kumbha is a pitcher full of water with fresh leaves preferably of mango tree and a coconut placed on the top. Poorna Kumbha is an object symbolizing God and it is regularly used during different religious rites. The water in the jar is said to be divine essence Purna Kumbha mainly contains ‘water’ – the veritable life principle. Thus it is a direct worship of Varuna – the God of rain. He is the harbinger of rain which ensures fertility on earth and which nourishes animals and human beings. The earthen pot used as Purna Kumba is decorated with geometric designs and Swastika. The geometric design various from region to region and from community to community. Depending on the society and its wealth, earthenware gives way to silver, brass or gold pots.
Size: 5100px × 3400px
Location: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Photo credit: © John Hopkins / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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