Madurai: If water bodies in the city are on the path of degradation, can the fate of temple tanks be any different? A recent study by Centre for Urban Water Resources (CURE) from Dhan Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation has brought out the poignant state of the tanks maintained at the city temples. It says that at least 15 temple tanks in the city have been a state of utter neglect due to poor maintenance. 

Exposure to faecal contamination, dumping of ritual waste and ecological imbalance due to over-exploitation of fish are the main reasons being cited for the deterioration in their condition. However, experts point out that tanks losing their relevance in the modern day could be the overarching reason for the neglect they suffer. The neglect has led to the weakening of the structure of many tanks. 

The tanks were dug during the construction or expansion of the temple to fulfil the water demand of the labourers involved in the construction, to meet the water requirement and for securing the mud. They also helped pilgrims clean themselves before entering the temple. Structurally, the temple tanks have proper stone walls to avoid sliding of soil, ghats for better accessibility and mandapam at the centre with special seating arrangement for the kings to view the float festivals. 

Retired archeologist C Santhalingam says that while water from the wells present inside the temple premises was used as holy water to perform abishekam, the tanks catered to the needs of the pilgrims and devotees. Some tanks were also used for the float festivals conducted by the temples. “Earlier, there was a natural water way system which carried water to the tanks from the Vaigai and the excess water back to the river. Due to urbanization, the natural way is extinct now,” he said.

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