Matki (earthen pot)

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A matki (small earthen pot) with another smaller pot 'budga' used to drink water

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A matka (big earthen pot) on roadside at Chinawal, India

Matki, (or Matka) is a Hindi word used for an earthen pot. It is used all over India, as well as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as a home "water storage cooler". It has been in use since ancient times and can be found in houses of every class.

Making Process

Its made by the combination of two types of mud clay 1st is taken from surface of earth and 2nd after digging more than 10 feet deeper in Earth. Making a matka is not easy It has a long process of morethan 8 days atleast. Mixing of Mud-clay with water, making, shaping, finishing, polishing, drying and baking in a kiln for 5 days. In the last it becomes completed eastern Earthen Pot a home water cooler.

Cooling process

The cooling process works through evaporative cooling. Capillary action causes water to seep and evaporate from the mini-pores in the pot, taking the heat from the water inside, thus making the water inside cooler than the outside temperature. Hence it is used only during summer and not in winter.

See also

• Indian pottery