The temple tanks of Tharamangalam, Tamilnadu: structural features and quality aspects of the tanks

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International Journal of Emerging Trends in Science and Technology The temple tanks of Tharamangalam, Tamilnadu: structural features and quality aspects of the tanks Author M.

1 International Journal of Emerging Trends in Science and Technology The temple tanks of Tharamangalam, Tamilnadu: structural features and quality aspects of the tanks Author M.Alaguraj Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering Ganesh College of Engineering, Salem, Abstract One of the characteristic features of the early south Indian cities and towns are the temple tanks. The temple complex includes a tank which is important site for cultural actions and the temples and tanks are inseparable. There are nearly 2360 temple tanks in Tamilnadu. There are three temple tanks in Tharamangalam showing their spiritual value. Out of them, two tanks are to be studied. These are belongs to Sri Kailasanathar temple. They are generally referred to as Teppakulam. These tanks are located in the very centre of the town and are repository of age old rituals. The purpose of the paper is to study the structural features and quality aspects of the tanks. It is also revealed the importance of temple tanks to maintain hydrological balance of the area, traditional festivals, aesthetic value and limited exposure use for the public. Introduction Water has played an important role in the architectural heritage of India from early times. In India, traditional methods for water harvesting systems and water management systems have also been used successfully from ancient times. Each region has its own unique system depending on its topography, rainfall and the local needs of the community. In areas where the rivers were not snow-fed and therefore not perennial, particularly true of the lower peninsular regions, different kinds of tanks served multiple purposes-aesthetic, spiritual and practical. There were two main kinds of tanks: village ponds used as common property for a range of everyday chores like bathing, washing clothes, and temple tanks that were sanctified and served the vital purpose of recharging the ground water table. Temple tanks are examples of pond ecosystem. It has its own biotic and abiotic components. It is rich in flora and fauna like any other freshwater ecosystem. Phytoplankton s play an important role as producers of this ecosystem. The microalgae population is enormous in temple tanks. In India, traditionally settlements are located in and around the temples. In south India at least one tank is attached to every temple. Temple tanks occupy a prime position in the day to day living of the people. Temple tanks were powerful tools in town planning and served a very practical purpose- that off maintaining ground water tables and replenishing community water supplies-besides serving spiritual needs. Temple tanks have many historical and spiritual references. By linking a natural resource to a divine objective, temple tanks were protected by a code of conduct that bound everyone in their vicinity. They are still places of socio-religious and cultural activity. Further the temple tanks are also used for float festivals every year. These are normally held on a full moon day, and are celebrated at the end of the monsoon. The people celebrate the festival to thank the almighty for giving sufficient rain. The festival creates awareness among people regarding the need to store rainwater. It can be simply summarized that the temple tanks are meeting places of the social and ritual activities. Thus, temple tanks need to be properly maintained to provide a sublime atmosphere. Apart from the sanctity attached to them, the tanks help to recharge the wells in and around the area. In India the word tanks normally refers to a dug out reservoir which has steps on all sides reaching down of the water. The best examples of such tanks M.Alaguraj Page 113

are called kovil kulam, pushkarani, kalyani, tirtham in south India. Tirtham signifies the importance attached to it in terms of religious faith.

In recent years, due to mushrooming of commercial and residential apartments in the catchment areas, the inlet systems are totally blocked and precious rainwater runs into the severs.

Groundwater recharge has been reduced due to the increase in impervious surface from asphalting or concreting of roads and backyards.

2 are called kovil kulam, pushkarani, kalyani, tirtham in south India. Tirtham signifies the importance attached to it in terms of religious faith. Most of the temple tanks were served by inlet systems in the olden days. In recent years, due to mushrooming of commercial and residential apartments in the catchment areas, the inlet systems are totally blocked and precious rainwater runs into the severs. Over-extraction of ground water has occurred due to population growth in the tanks catchment areas. Groundwater recharge has been reduced due to the increase in impervious surface from asphalting or concreting of roads and backyards. This has led to a lowering of the water table surface and has caused failures in groundwater wells. Structural features in temple tanks General Temple tanks are either square or rectangular in plan, and are truncated trapezoidal in section, being staggered from top to bottom as shown in fig.1.often, many temples have two tanks: one inside and the other in outside the temple building. Granite slabs are used for constructing the steps on all sides. Normally each step has a tread of one foot and a rise of half a foot. At every tenth step there is a landing of two foot width, having the same rise of half a foot as shown in fig.1 this gives additional stability to the structure. There is a structure known as Neerazhi mandapam situated in the centre of the tank the main purpose is to house the deity during the float festival. It is constructed with granite stone (fig.2).most of the tanks are having wells in their bed. Their presence is relevant in the present context and one can visualize a certain functional role for them. The wells link the aquifer and tanks and are supposed to serve for natural recharge. Wells in the tank are shown in fig.2.thus the design of the temple tanks is ideal from the point of view of harvesting, storing rainwater and recharges the aquifer. Study area: Tharamangalam temple tanks, Salem district, Tamilnadu, India Introduction Tharamangalam is located at N E. It has an average elevation of 275 m (902 ft). It is located in the Salem District in northwestern Tamil Nadu, and about 27 km west of Salem city. Its most important land mark is the Sri Kailasanathar temple dedicated to Lord Siva with the teppakulam temple tank 1 and tank 2 (fig.6). The temple here is truly an architectural wonder, being home to some exquisite stone carvings. These tanks are under the control of archeology department. The tanks meet the daily use of the public for bathing, washing the clothes and for other religious activities. Thus the water in the tanks keeps the environment very stable. The tanks are well protected, with a tank wall and fence. Both the tanks are fed by underground freshwater springs and it is one of the reasons the temple tanks never dries up. There is a perfect geometrical symmetry in the four sides and the steps of the tanks. Historic and cultural heritage of Tharamangalam Tharamangalam is famous for its beautiful and historic Kilasanathar temple. The temple constructed by Getti Mudaliyar (a local king) in 13 th century is one of the highly popular temples of Tamilnadu for its art gallery of sculptures. One would be mesmerized with the beautiful sculptures of various gods, goddesses in varying postures and emotions in the inner praharam like Manmathan and Rathi, Raman killing Vali, Godungai. Fig.1 view of the Temple tank 1 Fig.2 view of the Temple tank 1 Fig. 3 view of the Temple tank 1 M.Alaguraj Page 114

3 Fig.4 view of the Temple tank 2 Fig.10 Figures7,8,9,10 A close up of the beautiful panels depicting gods and goddesses and other themes from Hindu mythology. Fig.5 view of the Temple tank 2 Fig.6 location of the study area-tharamangalam kailasanathar temple tanks. Fig.11 various features of temple tank 1 including Neerazhi mandapam. Fig.7 Fig. 12 shows the cross section of the tank 2 entrance. Fig.8 Fig.9 Fig.13 shows the cross section of the tank 2 entrance. The west facing temple has a 5 tier Rajagopuram of 90 feet high that is conceived as a chariot on wheels, drawn by two elephants. During the days of 9 to 13 of Tamil month Maasi, the sun rays fall on the Lord during sunset. M.Alaguraj Page 115

4 Structural features of the tanks These tanks are square in plan. Both the tanks having four entrance on all sides. The embankment around the tanks is constructed by granite stones and act as retaining walls to keep the earth from silting the tank. The embankment is decorated with beautiful floral designs. The construction of these tanks was planned and completed in a prefabricated manner. The prefabricated construction technique could complete the work in relatively less time. The dressing of stones used in the construction work was done in advance and away from the site for its safety. The dressed stones were numbered in a particular manner to indicate their position in the tank. This had enabled simultaneous construction in different parts of the tank and speedy construction. The major difference between the tanks is Neerazhi mandapam. The tank 1 having Neerazhi mandapam. The tank 2 is constructed without Neerazhi mandapam. The tanks are constructed without any inlet and outlet arrangements. Granite slabs are used for constructing the steps on all sides each step has a tread of 300mm and a rise of 200mm. Tank 1 The size of the tank is 53.67m*53.67m and has an area of m 2. The depth of embankment in the tank is 3.09m. A special feature is the four entrances provided in the tank wall. The dimensions are 6.37m*6.75m. Every entrance having ten steps and two landing measuring 2.35m and 0.85m respectively. In the centre of the tank is an islet- like structure known as Neerazhi mandapam which is more an elevated covered platform in granite slab. The Neerazhi mandapam gopura is constructed with bricks and decorated with suthai sculptures. There is a perfect geometrical symmetry in the four sides and steps. The entrances are provided for getting down to the passage. The passage of 2.40m wide is provides between the entrances and steps. There is a well in the southwest direction. The wells link the aquifer and tanks and are supposed to serve for natural recharge. There is an arrangement for drawing water from it by using bucket. Tank 2 The size of the tank is 30.95*30.95m and has an area of m 2. The depth of embankment in the tank is 2.57m. A special feature is the four entrance provided in the tank wall for the deity. The dimensions are 3.75m*5.27m.Every entrance having nine steps and two landing measuring 1.4m and 0.7m respectively. There is a perfect geometrical symmetry in the four sides and steps. The entrances are provided for getting down to the passage. The passage of 2.40m wide is provides between the entrances and steps. Architectural finesse These tanks are known for their proportionate architecture. The architecture of these tanks was special and unique. These tanks are one of the finest of its kind in south India. The Temple tank 1, thirty six Nandhi sculptures two feet high(fig.11) of black stone sit at intervals on top of the parapet wall whose inside holds 365 lamp niches; one for every day of the year. The Neerazhi Mandapam in the tank is supported by 16 carved pillars, beautifully aligned, presenting the symmetrical beauty, which reflects the exceptional skill of the architects. The temple tank 2 is also famous for the carvings on the sidewalls of the tank that are embellished with beautiful panels depicting gods and goddesses and other themes from Hindu mythology (fig. 7,8,9,10). Most of the carvings are dedicated to lord Siva. The sides of the tank are decorated with flower petal designs on the inside. Further the water storage structures were used to glorify the campus and add grace to it. It combines architectural and artistic beauty with the function as a structure which is used for water storage and conservation. Water quality: Water samples were collected from the tank 1 and tank 2 respectively. The quality of water was evaluated for a limited human exposure category because the temple tanks are intended to serve only as a water conservation pond apart from their traditional functions as a place where the festival is conducted. The age old practice of using these tanks for bathing and washing of clothes no longer arises, as they have surrounded by the development of commercial activities. Table 1 gives details about the measures water quality in the tanks. It also shows that the water quality is suitable for the intended present purpose. M.Alaguraj Page 116

5 Table.1. Quality of water in the temple tanks parameters Temple tank1 Temple tank2 Appearance Greenish Greenish Odor None None PH E.C(10-6 Siemens) Total dissolved solids (mg/l) Total hardness (mg/l) Nitrate (µg/l) Nitrite(µg/L) - - Ammonia(µg/L) Phosphate(µg/L) Carbonate(mg/L) Total caliform Importance of temple tanks The temple tanks not only serve an important focal point of this tradition settlement, but also in controlling the micro climate of the place helping to maintain the hydrological balance of the area. The purpose of the temple tanks not only the retention of water for celebrating the float festival, but also includes some larger purpose. Traditionally temple tanks seem to have played three hydraulic roles: as a storage, which acted as insurance against low rainfall periods and also recharges groundwater in the surrounding area, as a flood control measures, preventing soil erosion and wastage of runoff waters during the period of heavy rainfall, and as a device which was crucial to the overall eco-system. Further the natural tank bed permitted the growth of water plants such as lotus, lily, and water creatures such as fish and frogs. CONCLUSION This study has shown that the tanks of Tharamangalam act as water conservation structures, apart from serving their traditional function. A full tank is has an aesthetic value, and the quality of water is also good for a limited exposure category. The study also revealed the structural uniqueness of the tanks. More than the ritual needs: they played an important role in the prosperity of the area by recharging the groundwater level and proved to be a boon for local ecology as well. The tank breathes age old traditions and the skills of architects and sculptors. There is no doubt that young generation can take lots of good knowledgeable solution from traditional temple tanks to create a good environment for Tharamangalam. The imposing grandeur of the temple tanks attracted many researchers to study the temple tanks. References [1]. Concept and origin of sacred tanks- Santhosh Kumar Rath. [2]. P.Ganguli (2008) prospects of ecotourism in temple tanks and foot plain lakes of upper assam. [3]. Kubilay kaptan.heritage management of temple tanks in an urban scenario-a case study of thiruporur, a traditional town in the state of Tamilnadu, India. [4]. Madhavi Ganesan (2008).The Temple Tanks of Madras, India: Rehabilitation of an ancient technique for multipurpose water storage. [5]. Ansari ekhalak (2012) water quality of a temple pond (Khajod) of surat district, India [6]. Studies on fresh water algae in relation to chemical constituents of Thiruneermalai temple tank near Chennai, India-1, anuja.j (2012) [7]. Temple Tanks in Arid Lands Eco News, Vol.18, No.1 April-June [8]. Young Intach-the heritage club newsletter, January-March-2015, Vol.12 No.1 [9]. Indigenous Architecture and Natural cooling - Vinod Gupta [10]. Arunchandra Pathak (2007)- Influence of chalukya architecture on hambi stepwell. [11]. Kamya Ramachandran- the sacred spaces of a water culture: the temple tanks of south India. [12].Temple tanks in Chennai-volume 37 (1997) - sri AMM Murugappa Chettiyar Research Center. [13].Laxmi biban (2015)- algal biodiversity of some sacred ponds of kurukshetra (India). M.Alaguraj Page 117

NATIONAL SEMINAR ON WATER & CULTURE HAMPI (KARNATAKA) : June 25-27, Influence of Chalukya architecture on Hampi stepwell

NATIONAL SEMINAR ON WATER & CULTURE HAMPI (KARNATAKA) : June 25-27, 2007 TITLE: Influence of Chalukya architecture on Hampi stepwell Arunchandra Pathak+, U. D. Kulkarni,* Editor, State Gazetteer, Government