Rainwater harvesting at 55 points in Srirangam Temple

‘Surya Pushkarani’ tank at the temple is bone dry

HR and CE Minister P. Sendur Pandian inaugurating the rainwater harvesting structure at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam. Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam

Rainwater harvesting structures are to be renovated and further expanded to 55 points at the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

The temple spread over a vast area accounts for a large number of mandapams, sannidhis and tanks. While the water level steady at the ‘Chandrapushkarani’, a major tank in the temple, the ‘Surya Pushkarani’ is bone dry. “The temple had been designed in such a manner that every drop of trickles down to the nearest tank or well. But over the years, due to various reasons, the recharge of ground water has been very poor,” says P.Jayaraman, Executive Officer of the temple.

Referring to the temple architecture of Sri Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai, where the rain water harvest structure diverts all storm water to Potramaraikulam, Mr. Jayaraman pointed out that similar facility was available in Srirangam too.

In addition to the existing ancient harvesting structures, 55 points have been identified to strengthen the existing harvesting structure to collect the storm water.

For instance, the RWH structure at the Annadhana Mandapam, which is under construction, would diver storm water to a nearby well. The project would be executed as part of the renovation of the temple. “Work on maintenance of pipelines will be taken up wherever needed,” he said.

On no account, the structure of the ‘sannidhi’ or ‘mandapam’ would be altered, he said, highlighting the importance of the ancient architecture.

Last week, the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, P. Sendur Pandian laid the foundation for the rain water harvesting structure in front of the 1,000-pillar mandapam, shortly after inaugurating the renovation works. .