{"product_id":"7-kalash-lota-elephant-design-antique-silver","title":"7.5-Inches Kalash Elephant Design | Antique Silver Lota","description":"\u003cp\u003eA kalash is the pot placed at the centre of a puja, filled with water and topped with mango leaves and a coconut — the vessel that stands in for the presence being invoked. This one is brass, 7.5 inches tall, with elephants and flowering vines raised out of the metal around the body and a fluted rim at the neck.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 7.5 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiameter: 6.5 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 730 g (approx. 1.6 lb)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: brass, nickel-plated and oxidised to an antique silver finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecoration: elephants and floral vines in raised relief; fluted rim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandmade in India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot dishwasher safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy this one\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe elephants are raised, not scratched on.\u003c\/strong\u003e Repoussé work, pushed out from inside, so you can feel each animal under your thumb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFluted neck.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rim is pressed into flutes rather than left round, which is what holds mango leaves in place instead of letting them slide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e730 g (approx. 1.6 lb).\u003c\/strong\u003e Enough weight to stay put on a puja thali with water in it and a coconut on top.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrass underneath,\u003c\/strong\u003e nickel-plated and oxidised, so the antique silver deepens in the recesses of the engraving instead of sitting flat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhich one do I need\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe make the kalash in two designs, near enough the same size:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/silver-kalash-lota-for-temple-pooja-item-gift-for-housewarming\"\u003e7-inch leaves kalash\u003c\/a\u003e — copper, engraved leaves, heavier, $135\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhere it works\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe centre of a puja thali for Kalash Sthapana\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA griha pravesh, carried into the new house\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA home mandir, kept filled between ceremonies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNavratri and Varalakshmi Vratam\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA side table as a flower vase — several of our customers use it that way year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGifting\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA kalash is the traditional thing to arrive with at a griha pravesh, which makes this an easy gift to get right for a new home. It also suits a wedding, Varalakshmi Vratam and Navratri. It arrives in plain packaging with no price on it. If you need several — for a temple or a community event — get in touch before ordering and we will confirm stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill mango leaves and a coconut sit on it properly?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The neck is 6.5 inches across the widest point and fluted, which is what stops the leaves slipping. A standard coconut sits on top of the leaves without wobbling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I fill it with water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, that is what it is for. Empty and dry it the same day rather than leaving water standing in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between this and the leaves kalash?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe motif and the metal. This one has elephants raised out of brass; the other has engraved leaves on copper and is 90 g heavier despite being half an inch shorter. Same job, different look.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this German silver?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot literally, and we would rather say so plainly. German silver — also sold as nickel silver — is a copper, nickel and zinc alloy that contains no silver in it at all. This piece is brass, nickel-plated and then oxidised so the darkening settles into the recesses of the engraving. A lot of this category gets sold as German silver regardless of what is actually underneath, so it is worth knowing which you are buying.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a lota or a kalash?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth words get used for this shape. Kalash is the ritual name; lota is the everyday one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it as a vase?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, and it works well — the fluted neck holds stems upright. Use a liner if you would rather not put water directly in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I clean it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWipe with a soft dry cloth. Do not put it in the dishwasher and do not use abrasive scourers or acidic cleaners — they will cut through the plating. Between uses, store it in a sealed plastic bag; that slows tarnishing more than anything else you can do.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it tarnish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSilver plating darkens over time, and the antique finish is designed to sit in the recesses and deepen the pattern as it does. That is the intended look. If you want it brighter, a light buff with a dry cloth on the raised areas will lift it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I order several for an event?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — get in touch before you order if you need more than a few. We can usually help on price for larger quantities and confirm stock before you commit to a date.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if it arrives damaged?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery order is insured. Photograph the box and the piece and contact us, and we will sort out a replacement or a refund.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eShipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFree insured shipping across the USA and Canada. Ships from San Ramon, California, usually within one business day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/german-silver-housewarming-decor\"\u003eAntique Silver\u003c\/a\u003e range, or our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indian-festive-decor\"\u003eDiwali \u0026amp; Festive Decor\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Urli Utsav Decor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67698255200329,"sku":"silver-kalash-elephant","price":140.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0989\/4002\/6953\/files\/kalash-antique-silver-1.jpg?v=1792243452","url":"https:\/\/colig.shop\/products\/7-kalash-lota-elephant-design-antique-silver","provider":"Silvara","version":"1.0","type":"link"}