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Temple Tanks in Southern India: A Holistic Examination of Hydrological and Scientific Significance

Introduction

Ancient Indian literature has emphasized the role of water from a spiritual, philosophical, cosmological, medicinal, and poetic perspective, as water is essential for human existence(Sharma, 2019). India typically receives an average volume of 4000 km³ of precipitation per year, including snowfall. However, significant regional and seasonal differences in rainfall magnitude across the nation exist. The challenge of the uncertain water availability in regions with no perpetual rivers, our ancestors gave primal importance to water management and measurement techniques to plan, store and use water (Ramkumar et al., 2018). For instance, in Mahabaratha, Yudhisthira built an artificial lake by excavating the ground to hold water and use it for irrigation. Arthashastra by Kautilya (Chanakya) apprises that during 300 B.C., special officers were there to oversee the conditions of irrigation tanks and water resources. King Bhoja created a massive artificial lake with an area of approximately 65,000 hectares between two hills in Madhya Pradesh. During Varahamihira's (possibly 5^th century) time, rainfall was measured using different techniques and units; some units used during that period were adhaka, pala and drone (Sharma, 2019)]. These are some very minimal examples of our ancestors' knowledge of managing water. Without the historical evolution of water management systems, it would have been difficult for Indian agriculture to develop to its current level.

Some of the water management techniques of ancient India are artificial reservoirs, percolation ponds, and temple tanks. Temple tanks are artificial water bodies found in and around temples in India and other parts of South Asia (Kaptan, 2014). They are used for religious rituals and ceremonies, as well as for the general welfare of the community. Some examples decipher the connection of water to temples; in Hinduism, water is considered sacred and closely connected to deities. For instance, Varuna, the god of the waters, maintains the cosmic order (Krishna and Murugesan, 2009).

Similarly, rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati are reverenced as a goddess; Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, takes place every 12 years at the confluence of these three rivers. Brihat Samhita states that the deity will always dwell near forests, mountains, pleasure gardens, springs, and rivers. This is why water bodies are kept in the temple complex, namely Temple Tanks.

Hydrological and Scientific Significance for Constructing Temple Tanks

Temple tanks are not just constructed for holy purposes but are ingeniously constructed to capture and store rainwater effectively, thus acting as a traditional and conventional rainwater harvesting system. These tanks are crucial catchment areas during monsoons, storing the runoff generated from the temple premises and safeguarding against runoff and soil erosion. This meticulous approach facilitates vital water replenishment for local aquifers and ensures a consistent water supply for the temple and adjacent community year-round. These tanks act as an “urban barometer”, which shows the groundwater dynamics of the surrounding area. Apart from this, Temple tanks serve as distinct microenvironments, nurturing the development of diverse aquatic and semi-aquatic flora and fauna. These tanks operate as self-contained ecosystems that support a wide range of plant life, fish species, and amphibians.

           The temple tanks also serve a purpose beyond their practical function, as they hold great cultural and spiritual value within the temple premises. These holy waters play a central role in various religious rituals and festivities, creating an atmosphere of profound spirituality in their surroundings. In addition to their significance in religion, these tanks promote community spirit by providing a gathering place for social interactions and recreational activities. This fosters stronger social connections among the local residents and contributes to their overall welfare. This serene atmosphere in temple tanks is due to various reasons, but the very compelling reason is their architectural elegance, precision, symbolism, and artistic expression. They feature symmetrical layouts, elaborate steps adorned with intricate carvings depicting deities, and efficient water inlets and outlets. These tanks highlight southern India's cultural and engineering achievements by seamlessly combining form and function in their design.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, temple tanks offer many benefits, encompassing water conservation and spiritual and cultural importance. At IIT Bombay, we're dedicated to unravelling the mysteries behind the varying dimensions of these tanks in different temples. Our current project, "Decoding ancient knowledge of temple tanks on Lord Shiva's Pancha Bootha sthala," generously funded by the Indian Knowledge System, aims to explore the profound wisdom of our ancestors and their holistic understanding of temple tanks. This endeavour contributes to academic knowledge and cultural heritage preservation, shedding light on this unique and significant aspect of our heritage. Jothiprakash (talk) 12:22, 19 October 2023 (IST)

References

1. Kaptan, K. (2014). Hritage management of temple tanks in an urban scenario - a case study of thirupporur, a traditional town in the state of tamilnadu, india. Conservation Science and Cultural Heritage, 4–11.

2. Krishna, N., & Murugesan, A. (2009). Sacred tanks of south India published by C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre (Issue May)

3. Ramkumar, D., Jothiprakash, V., & Devi, M. N. (2018). Temple Tank as a Rainwater Harvesting Structure-A study on Thayumanavar Temple Tank, Tiruchirapalli. National Seminar on Sustainable Technologies for Intelligent Water and Environmental Management (STIWEM-2018), 1–6.

4. Sharma, K. N. (2008). Water in India: Spiritual and Technical Aspects. Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures. Springer. Dordrecht.