Bangalore witnessed a sudden change in its weather. And glad to see the government taking some measures on rain water harvesting to get rid of the water crisis.
A few months back, I had been to Chithadurga. I would like to share some of the moments here.
'How much time will it take to see the fort?', I asked the auto driver.He did not respond.
'2 hours?' I added with a pause, to keep the first question alive.
Slowly turning the auto to his right he said, 'Sir, I'm living here since my childhood, but still I could not cover the whole area!'.
[I refered wikipedia later. It read - The highest hill peak of the area is located
at Jogi Matti, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to the south of Chitradurga. The highest elevation of the hills at the fort is 976 metres (3,202 ft). The area covered by the fort is reported to be 1,500 acres (607.0 ha)]
'Thank you', I said while paying him the fare.
I realised the verity in his words after half an hour. Truly amazing. Chitradurga Fort lies in the midst of a valley formed by the Vedavati River. The Tungabhadra River flows to the northwest of the Fort. Seven hills constitute the Chinmuladri range. The seven circles of the fort enclose these hills. Features of massive rock hills and scenic valleys, huge towering boulders are seen in the fort precincts. The hills on which major part of the fort and the city rest, belong to the oldest rock of granitic formation in the country.
The Nayak Palegars built the fort as an impregnable fortification for defense purposes with 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, 35 secret entrances, four invisible passages, water tanks and 2000 watch towers to guard and keep vigil on the enemy incursions. The storage ware-houses, pits and reservoirs were primarily designed to ensure food, water and military supplies required to endure a long siege. Uniquely, all these facilities are still well conserved. Seven walls (Yelusuttinakote) form the fort.
But of all glorious things there, I pick 'rain harvesting' as the one which we must study and implement to curtail the water crisis.
In late 1700s, when Hyder Ali considered to attack this fort, he first made enquiries about the fort water supplies. He was told the fort had enough water for its inhabitants to survive 12 years without rain!
Remember the fort was built around 14th century and one has to admire the architects.
Though it looks like a very simple design, the way they implemented and took full advantage of it needs to be counted.
A few months back, I had been to Chithadurga. I would like to share some of the moments here.
'How much time will it take to see the fort?', I asked the auto driver.He did not respond.
'2 hours?' I added with a pause, to keep the first question alive.
Slowly turning the auto to his right he said, 'Sir, I'm living here since my childhood, but still I could not cover the whole area!'.
[I refered wikipedia later. It read - The highest hill peak of the area is located
at Jogi Matti, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to the south of Chitradurga. The highest elevation of the hills at the fort is 976 metres (3,202 ft). The area covered by the fort is reported to be 1,500 acres (607.0 ha)]
'Thank you', I said while paying him the fare.
I realised the verity in his words after half an hour. Truly amazing. Chitradurga Fort lies in the midst of a valley formed by the Vedavati River. The Tungabhadra River flows to the northwest of the Fort. Seven hills constitute the Chinmuladri range. The seven circles of the fort enclose these hills. Features of massive rock hills and scenic valleys, huge towering boulders are seen in the fort precincts. The hills on which major part of the fort and the city rest, belong to the oldest rock of granitic formation in the country.
The Nayak Palegars built the fort as an impregnable fortification for defense purposes with 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, 35 secret entrances, four invisible passages, water tanks and 2000 watch towers to guard and keep vigil on the enemy incursions. The storage ware-houses, pits and reservoirs were primarily designed to ensure food, water and military supplies required to endure a long siege. Uniquely, all these facilities are still well conserved. Seven walls (Yelusuttinakote) form the fort.
But of all glorious things there, I pick 'rain harvesting' as the one which we must study and implement to curtail the water crisis.
In late 1700s, when Hyder Ali considered to attack this fort, he first made enquiries about the fort water supplies. He was told the fort had enough water for its inhabitants to survive 12 years without rain!
Remember the fort was built around 14th century and one has to admire the architects.
Though it looks like a very simple design, the way they implemented and took full advantage of it needs to be counted.
A small dam across the valley collects rain water from the hills around the palace complex. Water from that tank (Gopalaswami tank) overflows to Akka Honda, another tank. Akka honda filters water slowy into Thangi honda through permeable wall between these tanks. Then a small channel directs surplus water from Thangi honda downstream and water reaches to Sihineera Honda. From here the underground tunnel takes the excess water outside the fort. Thats not all. They built one large Santhe Honda which lies outside the fort and collects all the excess water. See their
concern towards water and their own lives.
Sooner or later, lets hope, some measures be taken seriously towards rain harvesting...
links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitradurga_Fort
concern towards water and their own lives.
Sooner or later, lets hope, some measures be taken seriously towards rain harvesting...
links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitradurga_Fort
