Naulas Explained

Naulas are natural water bodies found in the Himalayan region and are constructed in a place where water is tapped from underground leakage or natural springs to meet the water requirements of local communities for household consumption.

Etymology

Naula is a waterbody found on the Himalayan regions of Kumaon,[1] built on the surroundings of dhara, a natural spring which appears depending on the water flows in lower levels of surface, by digging a pit and to store the water and protecting it by construction of stone walls around it.[2] Naulas are said to be originated more than 1000 years back[3] and the last one was said to be constructed around 75 years back.[4]

Existence

Naulas are basically found in Himalayan regions of India.[5] [6] Naulas are a major source of drinking water for people living in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand.[7]

Architecture

Naulas have the roof and walls built with local stones but the surface is covered with small stone pieces or left natural for water filtration. The number of steps in Naula are usually in odd numbers of 3,5,7 and likewise.[8] Four sides roof of a Naula is designed to look like a temple and many of them have representations and designs of different deities in the form of gods and goddesses[9] [10] or lights to guide the thirsty passer-by. Households not having temple at home visit Naula to offer their prayers and light an oil lamp and submit their offerings.[11]

Challenges

Existence of Naulas have been facing challenges of due to ecological damages resulting from pollution, deforestation etc.[12] [13]

See Also

Notes and References

  1. News: Naula: A Tremendous example of architecture and religious belief (Special reference to Almora) . 29 March 2024 . 31 October 2019.
  2. News: Reviving Naulas, The Ancient Water Temples Of The Kumaon Himalayas . 28 March 2024 . IndiaTimes . 18 August 2018 . en-IN.
  3. News: Almora's 1000-yr-old water reservoir gets monument national tag . 28 March 2024 . The Pioneer . 3 February 2023 . en.
  4. News: NAULA - The Traditional Water Harvesting System of Uttarakhand . 28 March 2024 . Uttarakhand Stories - Connect to Uttarakhand with eUttarakhand and Share Stories . 6 May 2021 . en.
  5. News: Indian Villages Revive Ancient Water Practices . 28 March 2024 . YES! Magazine . 18 May 2023.
  6. News: Women Revive Traditional Water Sources in Uttarakhand . 28 March 2024 . The Tennessee Tribune . 7 November 2020.
  7. News: NAULAS : The ancient water temples of the Himalayas . 29 March 2024 . Jana Aastha . Nepali.
  8. News: The Last Builder of Naulas in Chatola, Nainital . 29 March 2024 . India Water Portal . 3 January 2016.
  9. News: Over 500-year-old water reservoir in Uttarakhand's Almora gets national monument tag . 28 March 2024 . The Times of India . 9 February 2023.
  10. News: Naula – Traditional Water Harvesting System of Uttarakhand . 29 March 2024 . uttarakhandexplorer.in . 3 November 2023.
  11. News: Lopes . Flavia . Uttarakhand Natural Spring Revival Unites Women . 28 March 2024 . indiaspend.com . 1 August 2022 . en.
  12. News: #Explained 'Naula': Ancient Way to Conserve Water . 29 March 2024 . Ground Report . 24 September 2022.
  13. News: Naula: The Ancient Way Of Collecting Water In Uttarakhand . 29 March 2024 . wandersky.in . 3 October 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Naulas".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.