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Every Kumbabhishekam revolves around the kalasam. During the yagasalai poojas, the divine presence of the deity is invoked into sacred water held in kalasams, and on the final day that water is carried up and poured over the gopuram and vimanam. For a temple committee, getting the kalasams right – the vessels, sizes and the items used to prepare them – is one of the most important parts of planning. This checklist explains what a Kumbabhishekam kalasam involves and what to arrange, from copper kudams to the smaller kalasa sombu used in supporting poojas.

What is a Kumbabhishekam kalasam?

"Kumbam" and "kalasam" both refer to the sacred pot. In a Kumbabhishekam, kalasams are prepared and placed in the yagasalai – the ritual hall built for the event. Mantras are chanted over several days, and the kalasams are believed to hold the energy that will re-consecrate the deity and the temple. The word Kumbabhishekam itself means the abhishekam (sacred bathing) performed with the water of the kumbam.

Kalasams in a yagasalai are usually arranged in a specific pattern around the homa kundams, with a main kalasam for the presiding deity and additional kalasams for the parivara deities, the vimanam and the gopurams.

The vessels: kudam and sombu

Copper kudams

Copper kudams are the traditional choice for the main yagasalai kalasams. Copper is associated with purity and is widely used for holding sacred water in temple rituals. Kudams are chosen in sizes that suit the deity, the vimanam and the gopuram – larger temples need several large kudams.

Brass kudams

Brass kudams are also used, especially where the priest permits brass for certain kalasams or for supporting rituals such as abhishekam and homam in the days before the main event.

Kalasa sombus

Smaller brass and copper sombus are needed for the many supporting poojas: the parivara deities, the Ganapathi pooja that begins the event, punyahavachanam and daily abhishekams during the festival days. Temples often need far more sombus than they expect.

Kumbabhishekam kalasam checklist

Use this list to plan with your priest. Quantities depend entirely on the size of the temple and the agama followed.

Item	Notes for the committee
Copper kudams (main kalasams)	Number and size as prescribed by the sivachariyar; order early.
Brass / copper sombus	For parivara deities and supporting poojas; keep spares.
Clean water / sacred river water	Some temples bring water from holy rivers; plan transport and storage.
Poo nool (sacred thread)	Used to wrap and bind the kalasams.
Mango leaves and dharbha grass	Arranged at the mouth of the kalasam.
Vastram (cloth)	To wrap the kalasam; colours as advised by the priest.
Manjal, kumkum, sandal (chandan)	For marking and decorating the kalasams.
Navadhanyam and akshathai	Often placed in or around the kalasams.
Flowers and garlands	Fresh supply needed every day of the yagasalai.
Homam samagri	Samithu, ghee, dried herbs and other items for the homa kundams.
Kalasam stands / base	To keep large kudams steady in the yagasalai.

 

Much of the pooja samagri on this list – poo nool, kumkum, manjal, sandal, samithu and homam items – is available in our puja samagri collection.

Planning tips for temple committees

Start with the priest's list

Ask the sivachariyar for a written list of kalasams with sizes and numbers at the very beginning. It drives your budget, ordering and storage.

Order vessels early

Copper kudams in larger sizes and bulk quantities of sombus take time to prepare. Order well before the yagasalai construction starts, and keep a buffer for breakage or late additions.

Check quality before the rituals

Inspect every kudam for dents, leaks and loose joins. Clean new copper and brass vessels thoroughly before handing them to the priests.

Plan storage and handling

Kalasams are heavy once filled. Plan who will carry them, the route to the gopuram on the final day, and how scaffolding access will work. Many committees appoint a dedicated team for the kalasam procession.

Keep a vessel register

Number each kudam and sombu and record where it is placed. After the event, the register helps track vessels that return to the temple, those offered to priests, and those kept for future poojas.

Preparing new copper and brass kudams

New vessels often carry polishing residue, dust from storage or a light lacquer. Before handing them to the priests:

• Wash each kudam and sombu with mild soap and warm water, then rinse thoroughly.

• For copper, use lemon and salt to remove any dull patches, rinse and dry completely.

• For brass, tamarind pulp or a gentle brass cleaner restores the shine.

• Dry the inside fully and store vessels upside down on a clean cloth until they are needed.

• Check the rim of every vessel – the kalasam is wrapped with thread and topped with leaves, so a smooth, even mouth makes the priests' work easier.

Common mistakes committees make

• Under-ordering sombus: the main kudams get all the attention, but supporting poojas need many smaller vessels. Always keep spares.

• Mixing sizes at the last minute: kalasams in a row are expected to match. Order each set of the same model and size together.

• Leaving samagri purchases to the final day: poo nool, manjal, kumkum, sandal and homam items are needed from the very first pooja. Buy them in one planned order.

• No backup for breakage or dents: keep a few extra kudams so a damaged vessel never holds up a ritual.

• Unclear ownership after the event: decide in advance which vessels stay with the temple, which go to the priests and which become gifts.

After the Kumbabhishekam: what happens to the kalasams?

Customs vary. In many temples, the main kalasam vessels are retained by the temple or offered to the priests who performed the rituals. Smaller sombus may be given to donors and ubayadarars as a blessing from the event. If you plan to give sombus as gifts, read our guide to Kumbabhishekam return gifts for ideas by budget and bulk-ordering tips.

Don't forget the gopura kalasam

While the yagasalai kalasams hold the sacred water, the gopura kalasams – the metal finials on top of the gopuram and vimanam – are often renewed, re-gilded or replaced during the renovation before a Kumbabhishekam. These are a separate order with their own lead time, so plan them alongside your yagasalai vessels. Explore our gopura kalasham range for temple finials.

RSS Online (rssonline.in) offers copper and brass kudams, kalasa sombus, puja samagri and gopura kalasham for temple committees preparing a Kumbabhishekam. Share your priest’s kalasam list with us, and we can help you plan vessels, sizes and pooja items in one order, so nothing is left to the last day. Visit rssonline.in or contact us for a quote. 

In summary

A successful Kumbabhishekam depends on careful kalasam planning: the right number and size of copper and brass kudams, enough sombus for the supporting poojas, and every kalasa pooja item ready before the yagasalai begins. Start with your priest's list, order early, check quality and assign a team to handle the vessels.

For copper kudams, brass kudams and kalasa sombus in bulk, explore our kalasa sombu collection or contact us with your temple's list for a quote.

FAQs

Q1. Which vessel is used for the kalasam in a Kumbabhishekam?

Copper kudams are the traditional choice for the main yagasalai kalasams, with brass and copper sombus used for supporting poojas. The chief priest decides the exact vessels and sizes.

Q2. How many kalasams are needed for a Kumbabhishekam?

It depends on the temple, the number of deities and the agama tradition. Ask the sivachariyar for a written list of kalasams with sizes at the start of planning.

Q3. What items are used to prepare a kalasam?

Commonly used items include sacred water, poo nool, mango leaves, dharbha grass, vastram, manjal, kumkum, sandal, navadhanyam and flowers. Your priest will confirm the exact list.

Q4. Can brass kudams be used instead of copper?

Copper is the traditional preference for the main kalasams, but brass is used for some rituals. Always follow your priest's instructions for each kalasam.

Q5. What is the difference between a yagasalai kalasam and a gopura kalasam?

A yagasalai kalasam is a water vessel used during the poojas. A gopura kalasam is the metal finial fixed on top of the gopuram or vimanam.