Pipes
Unless I’m greatly mistaken, these are the pipes that one uses to smoke ganja? I remember seeing these in little shops on my way home from school as well, and wondering what they were. Back then, I figured they were some special attachment to be used on taps. My curiosity continues unabated and I’m still wondering whether these aren’t illegal. If I’m right, they are…sort of.
I could be wrong, however. Does anybody know what these things are used for? I didn’t have the nerve to walk up to the shopkeeper and ask him. He didn’t seem perturbed by my taking photographs though.
anand jeyahar on 
IdeaSmith on 
1rossoneri
wrote on 12 March 2008 at 17:39
where did you find these in mumbai? I broke mine last year have been searching since!!!
and yes they are used to smoke weed
2Brad
wrote on 12 March 2008 at 21:33
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chillum_%28pipe%29
You could substitute narcotics with tobacco leaves and consume heavy doses of nicotine; this justification possibly makes it possible for vendors to sell these items. It could also be a whistle holder.
3Brad
wrote on 12 March 2008 at 21:33
Oops. I just noticed that you already have that link in your post.
4Rambler
wrote on 13 March 2008 at 6:09
I think they are the holders for the front end of a hose pipe generally used for gardening
Rambler’s last blog post..Stayback? or Moveon?
5IdeaSmith
wrote on 13 March 2008 at 11:42
@ rossoneri: Actually I’ve seen them in a lot of places. Small, unobstrusive, unfashionable residential areas…they all have a shop or two that stocks these.
@ Brad: Whistle-holder?
@ Rambler: LOL…I thought something similar except they’re made of clay.
6Brad
wrote on 13 March 2008 at 15:39
http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/ena/lowres/enan201l.jpg
7Australopithecus
wrote on 12 April 2008 at 11:58
aah and to think i had to go all the way to haridwar to buy myself a few of those.