Temple: Rainwater harvesting.

Our group visited a local temple, called Shri Vitthal, constructed by Maharaja Govindrao Gaekwad’s Wife, Maharani Gahinabai, in Baroda. This temple conserves and purifies rain water and supplies it to the local shops and houses around it. At the temple, we interviewed a local guide who spoke about efficient and cost effective, yet traditional, water conversation systems around Baroda. These included rain water harvesting systems such as Bore Wells. Bore Wells are deep but narrow holes, dug into the ground which collect rain water. This is an effective method because it will increase the ground water level. Our guide also spoke about how old efficient systems, that the kings had built, are now getting shut down due to urbanisation. There used to be 146 lakes years ago, and now we are only left with 36. They have shut the others down. He stated that as the throne is passed down, the kings’ interests changed. Less importance was given to rain water harvesting, thus leading to water scarcity.

This temple used wells to collect their water, and had a purification system which would automatically make the water pure. This well was connected to local shops and houses through various pipes for their daily supply of water. Culturally, Baroda is a very inter-dependant city, which means that they rely on various sources to obtain their water.

Let us know in the comments below and spread the word. #SaveItTraditionally.

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This is the rainwater harvesting tank where the collected rainwater is stored.

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