What to do with kalash items after Ganpati immersion
A guide to respectfully disposing of the water, coins, rice and coconut used in the kalash during Ganesh puja
Ganeshotsav is one of the biggest festivals dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Devotees install Bappa's idol at home or in a mandap with full devotion and perform the puja with proper rituals, seeking happiness, prosperity and the wellbeing of the family. The installation of the kalash during this puja is also considered very significant. This year Ganeshotsav began on September 14 and will end on September 25. Today, Saturday, September 19, is the immersion of Gauri Ganpati.
Idols are immersed on different days depending on whether they are worshipped for one and a half days, five days, seven days, or in the case of Gauri Ganpati. After the immersion, many people wonder what to do with the kalash, the sacred water it contains, the coconut and the other items used in the puja. According to religious belief, instead of throwing away the items kept in the kalash, they should be used and disposed of respectfully.
After the immersion, the sacred water from the kalash should be sprinkled around the house using mango leaves, and any water left over should be poured into a pot or plant. It is believed that sprinkling this water in the house drives away negative energy and brings happiness and prosperity. However, this water should not be poured on a tulsi plant.
The coins, betel nuts and turmeric knots kept in the kalash are considered auspicious, so they should be placed in a safe or in the place where money is kept. According to religious belief, doing so maintains happiness and prosperity in the house.
The small amount of rice placed above and below the kalash should be mixed with the household grain or fed to birds. In the puja, akshat, or rice grains, are considered sacred, so there is a tradition of using them respectfully or feeding them to birds.
The coconut placed on the kalash should be distributed as prasad among family members. Distributing the coconut used in the puja as prasad among household members is considered auspicious.
The mango leaves and durva grass used in the kalash should be immersed in the soil of a sacred tree or plant, or at the immersion site. There is a tradition of always disposing of puja items with respect.
