Copper Vessel and Ganga Jal.

urmiladuhan

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Copper metal is one of the oldest metals that has been in Indian use. We find copper utensils from Indus Valley sites. In those days (approx. 3000 B.C.E) we did not know of iron as a metal. So copper was a cheap alternative to gold and silver and probably lead too. Copper holds a special place in hindu religious rituals in that it is used to keep holy offering such as ganga jal. Copper is known to have antibacterial properties and it is no wonder that water stored in copper vessels (including ganga jal) stays fresh long. hospitals in some countries have been advised by their health agencies to change their hospital door knobs to copper metal to prevent spreading of infection.

Copper is cool!
 
The metal copper has been known to man since long. In mid west, copper artifacts have been excavated dated to some 5000 B.C.E. In India, copper kitchen utensils have been found during excavations of Harappan sites (photo attached). Experience tells us that if acidic food is stored in copper vessel, it results in copper dissolving in the food, giving it a metallic taste. This is the rationale behind shining copper decorative items with lime juice or tamarind juice, as the outer rusty layer gets cleared off on rubbing. It therefore seems very likely that Harappan Civilization's diet habit did not include cooking sour food items as Copper was the metal of choice for cooking, unless someone was keen on metallic tasting food!

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Copper metal is one of the oldest metals that has been in Indian use. We find copper utensils from Indus Valley sites. In those days (approx. 3000 B.C.E) we did not know of iron as a metal. So copper was a cheap alternative to gold and silver and probably lead too. Copper holds a special place in hindu religious rituals in that it is used to keep holy offering such as ganga jal. Copper is known to have antibacterial properties and it is no wonder that water stored in copper vessels (including ganga jal) stays fresh long. hospitals in some countries have been advised by their health agencies to change their hospital door knobs to copper metal to prevent spreading of infection.

Copper is cool!
 
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