Lota (vessel)

A lota (Hindi: लोटा, Odia: ଲୋଟା/ନୋଟା, Urdu: لوٹا) is a small, spouted round vessel used in the Indian subcontinent[1] since at least the 2nd millennium BC.[2] The copper lota is used in religious ceremoies such as in a yagna ritual during puja prayers, weddings and other sacred ceremonies. It is also used for serving water and liquor.[3][4] According to the ancient Indian/Hindu-origin traditional medicine system of ayurveda, drinking water stored in the copper lota has health and nutritional benefits.[5]

Kindi, spouted copper vessel of Kerala state in India.
Spouted vessel, 9th century, India.
Spouted vessel with deities, 10th century, India.
Spouted vessel Karuwa used for religious rituals, serving water and liquor, Nepal.

Its regional variations include bodna (Bengali: বদনা) in the Bengali language, Kindi in the state of Kerala and Karuwa in Nepal.

Archaeology

Early examples of lota and kindi first appear in Chalcolithic period cultures of South Asia, notably in Savalda Culture and two well-preserved examples from Jorwe culture pottery dating back to 2nd millennium BC.[2][6] Highly decorative spout vase with floral motifs are also known from Chandraketugarh dating back to 2nd century BC to 1st century CE.

Design

Review and reactions

American designers Charles and Ray Eames in their The India Report expressed a great admiration for the lota, saying about its design, "Of all the objects we have seen and admired during our visit to India, the Lota, that simple vessel of everyday use, stands out as perhaps the greatest, the most beautiful."[7][8][9]

Regional names and other variations

In West Bengal and parts of Bangladesh, the term bôdnā (Bengali: বদনা) describes spouted (teapot-like) vessels, and the vessels used for puja are called ghôt or ghôti, while lotā is used for bath mugs, .[10] In Odisha, vessels without the spout is also known as lota.[3] They are also known as Karwa, Jharis and Achaman Jharis(utensils with spouts) in Hindi Belt and Gujarat in northern and western India, used for prayer rituals. [11] It is also known as Mooku sombu and Pal Kindi used as milk feeder for babies in southern parts of India. In Nepal, it is known as Karuwa which is used for religious rituals, serving water and liquor.[4]

Usage
See also: Kitchen utensil and Cookware and bakeware

Idioms and literature

In some parts of South Asia, the use of the phrase "bependi ka lota" (a "lota without a base") is colloquially used to refer to a person who may switch their loyalties. This comes from the observation that a spherical lota without a base tends to roll over in unpredictable directions when kept on uneven ground. The neologism "lotacracy" was coined in Pakistan to describe politicians who would switch parties.[12]

Health
See also: Ayurveda and Neti (Hatha Yoga)

According to the ancient Indian/Hindu-origin traditional medicine system of ayurveda, drinking water stored in the copper lota has health and nutritional benefits.[5] It is used for Jala neti, a traditional Ayurvedic and Yogic practice that is used for cleansing the nose and sinus passages through nasal irrigation. Often popularly known as "Neti pot".

Holy rituals
See also: List of Hindu festivals and List of materials used in Hinduism

In the Indian-origin religions, the lota is a multipurpose utensil. It is also used in the sacred rituals,[3] such as yagna, puja prayers, wedding and other sacred ceremonies.

Ritual cleansing
See also: Ritual purification
Bôdnā, a black spouted vessel made in Bangladesh.

In South Asia, the lota is employed to cleanse oneself.[13]

In Bengali, the term lotā is used for bath mugs. People of the South Asia diaspora may use watering cans, empty bottles or cups for cleansing purpose. Muslims use lota for the istinja cleansing rituals, such as wudu, bath and anal cleansing.[10]

See also

Citations
  1. "Definition of Lota". Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. Retrieved 22 March 2007.
  2. Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Delhi: Pearson Education. pp. 229–233. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
  3. Daniel Miller, 1985, Artefacts as Categories: A Study of Ceramic Variability in Central India, pages 126–130.
  4. "Seven reasons why Tansen is one of the must-see places in Nepal". OnlineKhabar English News. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  5. 11 Amazing Healing Benefits of Drinking Water in a Copper Vessel, NDTV, 6 July 2018.
  6. "Excavations - Important - Maharashtra". Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  7. Demetrios, Eames (9 February 2002). "An Eames Primer". Universe Publishing. Retrieved 22 March 2007.
  8. "Eames' India Report". National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India. Archived from the original on 9 March 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2007.
  9. "Charles & Ray Eames India Report, April 1958", Design Observer
  10. Akbar, Javaria (11 December 2014). "A Muslim's Guide to Anal Hygiene". Vice. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  11. Jhariji, Achaman Jhariji And Karwa https://inbrindavan.com/jhariji-achaman-jhariji-karwa/
  12. Gauhar, Humayun (24 January 2011). "Blasphemy…or a convenience?". Saudi Gazette. Okaz Organization for Press and Publication. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  13. Donald Albrecht (2009). The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: a Legacy of Invention. Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 9780810927520. Retrieved 5 September 2011. India and Pakistan have a water culture, so that it is preferable to use a lota to cleanse with after using the washroom.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lota (vessel).
  • Bodna Nai—Music video depicting the extinction of the bodna from urban Bangladesh
  • The Lota Blog—A comedic blog about the use and application of the lota in modern times
  • Nuevos Habitos—An artist dedicated to lota and other stuff
  • - HOW TO USE A LOTA: THE SECRET TO ISLAMIC HYGIENE.
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