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Brahma Sarovar at
Kurukshetra (Haryana)
(Photo courtesy: http://kurukshetra.nic.in ) |
Amrit Sarovar at
Amritsar (Punjab)
(Photo courtesy: http://www.sacredsites.com) |
Tanks (Kundas) are an integral part
of India’s famous and highly evolved traditional water management systems. In
areas (particularly the Deccan peninsula) where the rivers are not snow-fed,
the different kinds of tanks - percolation ponds, natural lakes,
artificial reservoirs and temple tanks – proved to be of great use.
While the ponds, lakes and artificial reservoirs were used for activities
like irrigation, washing etc., the temple tanks were sanctified and the
waters were drawn only in times of drought etc.
SIGNIFICANCE
- Religious – The temple tanks are revered no less than the
temple itself. Their waters (tirtham) are believed to cleanse all
sins. In fact, devotees are required to wash their hands and feet in the
temple tank before entering the temple. The waters are also used
to perform the daily ritual bath (abishekam) of the temple deity. Annual float
festivals (teppotsavam
in Tamil) are conducted in the tanks, wherein the idol of the deity is
floated around the tank on a decorated raft. (called ‘teppam’ in
Tamil)
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Teppotsavam at Sri Kapalishwara
temple tank, Chennai
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- Water harvesting – Since the water from the temple tanks was not
extracted for everyday chores, they served the vital purpose of recharging
the underground aquifers. They reduce the runoff and enhance the water
stagnation time, which ensures sufficient water in the domestic wells
during the summer months.
- Aesthetic and Recreational – The temple tanks also added aesthetic
value to the temple area. In small villages and towns the temple tanks
and their stone steps served as a gathering and meeting places for the
entire community.
- Some
of these sacred tanks supported a variety of life forms especially fish, which
helped maintain the tank by eating moss and algae which would otherwise
turn the water murky. Infact, active fish breeding was carried in some
of the temple tanks to provide an additional income for temple
maintenance.
DECLINE
AND DETERIORATION
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Dried-up tank at
Palani Andavar Temple, Vadapalani
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Most of the
ancient temple tanks have fallen into a state of repair and disuse.
- Unchecked
extraction and blocking of inlet ducts (either by unplanned construction or
litter) has led to the drying up of some of the temple tanks.
- Pressures on
the land have lead to the encroachment of these dried out tanks. For example, in
Bangalore, the famous Dharmambudhi tank has been drained to make way for the
Majestic bus stand.
- Also, the tanks have become sinks for sewage and garbage of the
neighbourhood.
- Those tanks that still have water have been invaded by various
kinds of weeds, rendering them unfit for use.
C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre took up a survey of 175 temple tanks in south
India. The visual survey and recording of information was accompanied, in
several places, by water analysis for both physical and chemical.
LIST OF SACRED TANKS IN INDIA
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