Yoni Kosha

A handmade pure copper Yoni Kosha for Tantrik Shakti puja: a yoni-shaped kosha, or arghya vessel, with a raised bindu at its centre. Hand-hammered by artisans in West Bengal, it holds the water offered to the Devi as arghya and is used for sankalpa and achamana in the Shakta worship of Kali, Tara, Durga, Kamakhya and the other forms of the Mother. Available in two sizes: 9 inch and 10 inch long.

What is a Yoni Kosha?

In the Bengali puja tradition the kosha (কোশা) is the copper vessel that holds water during worship, used together with the kushi (কুশি), the small spoon that takes water from it. The Yoni Kosha gives this vessel the form of the yoni, the Sanskrit word for womb, source and origin. In Shakta Tantra the Devi is worshipped as the source from which all creation emerges, and the yoni is her most direct symbol, honoured above all at the Kamakhya pitha in Assam. The raised point at its centre is the bindu, the seed-point of creation in Tantrik thought.

Quick facts

• Material: pure copper
• Making: handmade and hand-hammered by artisans in West Bengal
• Form: yoni (teardrop) shape with a raised bindu at the centre; the narrow end serves as the lip for pouring
• 9 inch: 9 inches long, about 4.5 inches wide, 270 g
• 10 inch: 10 inches long, about 5 inches wide, 300 g
• Finish: natural reddish-brown copper with a visible hammered texture
• In the box: one Yoni Kosha; a kushi is not included
• Origin: India

A note on the finish: because the kosha 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).

How it is used in puja

• Arghya: holding water, often with flowers, durva, sandal paste and akshata, offered to the Devi as arghya
• Sankalpa: holding water while the worshipper states the intention of the puja
• Achamana and purification: water taken from it with a kushi to sip and to sprinkle at the start of worship
• Tantrik Shakti puja: the worship of Kali, Tara, Durga, Kamakhya and the Dasa Mahavidya, at the home altar or in the temple
• Festivals: Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Navratri and Ambubachi

Choosing a size

The 9 inch Yoni Kosha (about 4.5 inches wide) suits a home altar and daily worship. The 10 inch (about 5 inches wide) holds a larger arghya and suits a temple, a group puja or a larger altar.

Care

• Pure copper naturally darkens over time. To restore its shine, rub it with lemon and salt, or tamarind, then rinse.
• Dry it fully after washing to prevent water spots.
• Avoid harsh detergents and steel scrubbers, which scratch the surface.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Yoni Kosha used for?

It is the vessel that holds water for arghya, sankalpa and achamana in Tantrik Shakti puja. Its yoni form makes it especially suited to the worship of the Devi as the source of creation, as in the Shakta traditions of Bengal and Assam.

Is this Yoni Kosha pure copper?

Yes. It is made of pure copper, the metal traditionally preferred for puja vessels that hold water for worship.

What is the difference between a kosha and a kushi?

The kosha is the vessel that holds the water; the kushi is the small spoon used to take water from it. The two are used together in Bengali puja and are often called kosha-kushi. This listing is for the Yoni Kosha alone; a kushi is not included.

What does the raised centre of the Yoni Kosha represent?

It is the bindu, the point from which creation emerges in Tantrik thought, set at the heart of the yoni.

What size is the Yoni Kosha?

It comes in two sizes: 9 inches long and about 4.5 inches wide (270 g), or 10 inches long and about 5 inches wide (300 g).

Is the Yoni Kosha handmade?

Yes. Each kosha is shaped and hammered by hand by artisans in West Bengal, so the hammer marks and small variations in shape are part of every piece.

Can a Yoni Kosha be used outside Tantrik worship?

Yes. It serves as an arghya or achamana vessel in any Devi puja, and in daily worship at the home mandir.

Why does my kosha look less shiny than in the photos?

Pure copper reacts with air and moisture and forms a natural layer of oxidation, so the kosha 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.