Lota (vessel)

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."[6][7][8]

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, .[9] In Odisha, vessels without the spout is also known as lota.[2]

In some parts of Pakistan and India, 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.[10]

According to the ancient Indian/Hindu-origin traditional medicine system of ayurveda, drinking water stored in the copper lota has health and nutritional benefits.[4]

In the Indian-origin religions, the lota is a multipurpose utensil. It is also used in the sacred rituals,[2] such as yagna, puja, wedding and other sacred ceremonies.

In the Indian subcontinent, the lota is employed to cleanse oneself.[11]

In Bengali, the term lotā is used for bath mugs. People of the desi 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.[9]