• Book Name: Sacred Waters: A Preservation Strategy for Temple Tanks of Ekamra Kshetra
• Published by: The Other Odisha Books
• Author: Anisha Swain
• Pages: 101

About the book:

In traditional societies water was sacred and, concurrently, water bodies and rivers were deified. This had many implications for the protection and management of water bodies. The importance of temple tanks, sacred structures that had utilitarian value also served a very practical purpose; that of maintaining ground water tables and replenishing community water supplies.

Odisha arguably has the largest number of temple tanks anywhere in the country.
They have not been studied properly. Bhubaneswar and other cities like Puri, Cuttack, Berhampur, Paralakhemundi, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Balasore and Sambalpur have many temple tanks. Besides temple tanks, Odisha has close to 150,000 pokharis or common village ponds.

The heritage temple tanks, ponds and wells in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar have been reduced to a shadow of their past glory. Over the years, relentless urbanisation and neglect in maintenance have degenerated the water bodies. The stagnant waters filled with slush and slime are now cess pools.

The temple tanks of Bhubaneswar are more than just architectural features; they are living symbols of the region's spiritual, cultural, and ecological heritage. These sacred water bodies remind us of the deep connection our ancestors had with nature, viewing water not just as a resource but as a divine gift to be revered and preserved.
As we move forward, it is essential to honour and restore these ancient temple tanks, ensuring they continue to nourish both the body and soul of the community, just as they have done for centuries. The legacy of these tanks is a testament to the harmonious coexistence of spirituality, community, and nature, a legacy that continues to inspire and guide us today.

About the Author:

Anisha Swain is an architect specializing in Historic Preservation and Conservation, dedicated to safeguarding the heritage of buildings, sites, and communities. Her work integrates sustainable practices with innovative preservation strategies to protect culture, heritage, and historical elements, both within and beyond architecture.

She holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, where her thesis, "Shifting Tides of Heritage: Designing a Transposable Strategy for Coastal Communities in Goa," explored adaptive strategies for at-risk heritage. She presented her research at the New York State Preservation Conference under the theme "Expanding Preservation Pedagogies."

Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Architecture from NMIMS, Mumbai, where her dissertation on "Preservation of Mill Lands" ignited her passion for preservation planning.

During her tenure at FIDR's Goa Livelihoods Forum, she gained expertise in preservation planning for systematic community development. She conducted research, proposed solutions, produced reports, and authored a white paper on reviving Kunbi Handloom, engaging the community throughout the process.

Currently, as Project Head of INTACH, Bhubaneswar Chapter's Temple Tank Project, she focuses on conserving temple tanks, employing diverse approaches to ensure the stories and significance of these cultural elements are preserved for future generations.