Temple tanks arewells orreservoirs built as part of the temple complex near Indian temples. They are called pushkarini, kalyani, kunda, sarovara,tirtha, talab, pukhuri, ambalakkuḷam, etc. in different languages and regions ofIndia. Some tanks are said to cure various diseases and maladies when bathed in.[1] It is possible that these are cultural remnants of structures such as theGreat Bath ofMohenjo-daro orDholavira,[2] which was part of theIndus Valley civilization. Some arestepwells with many steps at the sides.
Since ancient times, the design of water storage has been important in India's temple architecture, especially in western India where dry and monsoon seasons alternate. Temple tank design became an art form in itself.[3] An example of the art of tank design is the large, geometrically spectacular Stepped Tank at the Royal Center at the ruins ofVijayanagara, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, surrounding the modern town ofHampi. It is lined with greendiorite and has nodrain. It was filled byaqueduct.[4]
The tanks are used for ritual cleansing and during rites of consecration. The water in the tank is deemed to besacred water from theGanges River.[5]
In India, astepwell is a deep masonry well with steps going down to the water level in the well. It is called avav in west India and abaoli in north India. Some were built by kings and were richly ornamented.[6] They often were built by nobility, some being for secular use from which anyone could obtain water.[7]
Kalyani, also calledpushkarani, are ancientHindu steppedbathing wells.
These wells were typically built nearHindu temples to accommodate bathing and cleansing activities before prayer. They are also used for immersion ofGanesha idols duringGanesha Chaturthi.
InSikhism, temple tanks are calledsarovar (Punjabi: ਸਰੋਵਰsarōvara).[8]
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