Summer in India can be relentless. Dry heat in the north, sticky humidity in the south, and power cuts just when you need relief the most. But long before air conditioners and ceiling fans became household staples, Indian homes had already mastered the art of staying cool — simply, smartly, and sustainably.

Using everyday materials like clay, cotton, vetiver grass, and handwoven fabrics, people crafted solutions that were perfectly suited to the climate and entirely powered by nature. Today, as temperatures rise and energy bills soar, these time-tested methods are making a quiet comeback — not out of nostalgia, but necessity.

Here are five traditional Indian cooling tricks that are as clever as they are doable, and might just be what your home needs this summer.

1. Clay pots

How it works:

The classic matka or ghada

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