{"product_id":"matsya-kosha-kushi-pure-copper","title":"Matsya Kosha Kushi - Pure Copper","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA hand-hammered pure copper Matsya Kosha Kushi: the fish-form kosha, with its fluted spout, and the small kushi that takes water from it.\u003c\/strong\u003e Made in West Bengal, the pair at the heart of every Bengali puja holds and pours the water for achaman, sankalpa, arghya and tarpan, at daily worship and in Durga, Kali and Lakshmi Puja.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is a kosha-kushi?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kosha-kushi (কোশাকুশি) is the pair of copper vessels used in the Bengali puja tradition. The \u003cem\u003ekosha\u003c\/em\u003e is the larger vessel that holds the water of worship, often with flowers, durva, sandal paste and akshata. The \u003cem\u003ekushi\u003c\/em\u003e is the small spoon used to take water from it, a little at a time, for each step of the ritual. Together they are among the first things set out on a Bengali altar, from daily puja to the great festivals of the Devi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis style is known as the \u003cem\u003eMatsya\u003c\/em\u003e (fish) kosha-kushi, for its form: the fluted end of the kosha opens like a fish’s tail, and the kushi is shaped like a small fish. The fish is an auspicious sign in Bengal, and recalls Matsya, the first avatar of Vishnu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick facts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e pure copper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Matsya (fish-form) kosha-kushi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn the set:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 kosha and 1 kushi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKosha:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9.5 inches long, 4.5 inches wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKushi:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.5 inches long\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 390 g, kosha and kushi together\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e hand-hammered copper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e West Bengal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on the finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e because the kosha-kushi is pure copper, it begins to oxidise as soon as it meets air and moisture. The piece you receive may look less shiny, or a little darker, than in the photographs. This natural patina is a sign of pure, untreated copper rather than a defect, and the shine can be brought back at any time (see Care below).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow it is used in puja\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAchaman:\u003c\/strong\u003e water taken with the kushi and sipped to purify before worship begins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSankalpa:\u003c\/strong\u003e water held in the kushi while the intention of the puja is stated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArghya:\u003c\/strong\u003e water, with flowers and durva, offered to the deity from the kosha\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTarpan:\u003c\/strong\u003e water, with til, offered to the ancestors, as at Mahalaya and in shraddha\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFestivals:\u003c\/strong\u003e Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Saraswati Puja and daily worship at the home mandir\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePure copper naturally darkens over time. To restore its shine, rub it with lemon and salt, or tamarind, then rinse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDry it fully after washing to prevent water spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid harsh detergents and steel scrubbers, which scratch the surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is a kosha-kushi used for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt holds and pours the water of worship in Bengali puja: for achaman, sankalpa, arghya to the deity and tarpan to the ancestors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is it called Matsya Kosha Kushi?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatsya means fish. The kosha’s fluted end opens like a fish’s tail and the kushi is shaped like a small fish, so this style is known as the Matsya kosha-kushi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between a kosha and a kushi?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kosha is the larger vessel that holds the water; the kushi is the small spoon that takes water from it. This set includes both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this kosha-kushi pure copper?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Both pieces are pure copper, hand-hammered, the metal traditionally used for vessels that hold the water of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat size is the kosha-kushi?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kosha is 9.5 inches long and 4.5 inches wide, and the kushi is 4.5 inches long. Together they weigh 390 g.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan it be used for tarpan at Mahalaya?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Kosha-kushi is the traditional vessel for tarpan in Bengal, offering water and til to the ancestors at Mahalaya and in shraddha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy does my kosha-kushi look less shiny than in the photos?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePure copper reacts with air and moisture and forms a natural layer of oxidation, so it can look darker or less shiny than in the photographs, and will keep darkening with time. This is normal for pure copper; lemon and salt, or tamarind, will bring back its shine whenever you like.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Svarnagarbha","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67881817374890,"sku":null,"price":2980.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6208\/9898\/files\/KoshaKushi-PureCopper-1.jpg?v=1794299674","url":"https:\/\/svarnagarbha.com\/products\/matsya-kosha-kushi-pure-copper","provider":"Svarnagarbha","version":"1.0","type":"link"}