Uttarakhand’s Naulas: A Blend of Tradition and Sustainability

Introduction

In the serene mountainous area of Uttarakhand in the Western Himalayas, an age-old water collection system famously known as Naulas has been the lifeblood of the local population, as well as the environment. With an appearance reminiscent of miniature temples, these structures are the recipients of the water that gushes down naturally and that is then taken in for the population to drink. This is the only way through which people of the rural communities who have limited resources get fresh water for their daily use.

Naulas are a sight to behold because of their elaborate stone cutting and artistry. They depict the community’s respect for water as a source of life and the rich historical and cultural heritage of the area. Not only have people assembled at these locations in the past, but they have also been involved in stressing the union between people and nature.

Today, Naulas are not without their own risks from the impact of modernization and climate change that are endemic challenges the world over. This is accompanied by precipitable changes and increasing water requirements from a changing climate. Actions, carried out by various local initiatives, are aimed at the restoration of the sites of this vernacular architecture and, at the same time, informing the public of their cultural and functional roles. Apart from the places, the effort is also directed to save the related knowledge and the traditions for offspring.

Origin of the Art-Form

Ancient form of water conservation now known as Naula in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India, was an epoch-making invention, the history of which is scattered across centuries. The Naula system is very common in Kumaon, but in Garhwal, it is less known. Not only Naula, public welfare water construction like Dhara and Naula was thought to be an act of piety in the earlier days. The naulas that are today still in use from Katyuri and Chand dynasties were built in Kumaon. For instance, the 1,000-year-old Naula which is present in Suryakot (Almora), the 700-year-old one near Haat Kalika temple in Gangolihat (Pithoragarh) that was established by Raja Ramchandra Dev, the Garhsher Naula in Bageshwar district was built in the 7th century and the Baleshwar Naula, which was constructed by the Raja Thorchand in 1272. The Ranidhara Naula (Almora), the Pattiani Naula and the Tularameshwar Naula of Shealgaon (Almora) and Pahadpani Naula (Nainital) are some other examples. Some of the naulas were very efficiently and beautifully carved on stone. One such example is the Ek Hathiya Naula in Dhakana village of the Champawat district. Nobody knew that these were the ideas and the techniques of the Himalayan people that were leading this society towards prosperity and place in the natural realm which was in place persisted until it was eventually phased out as their culture became obsolete. The sculptures of the gods and goddesses that mark the presence of Naulas are indicative of the faith of the community in water as a giver of life.

How it flourished

One of the features of the water management system in the Uttarakhand territory was Naulas, especially in the Kumaon region. The community undertook the responsibility of maintaining and conserving these structures, thus became an integral part of their social and cultural well-being.

The Naulas design and construction took into account the specific conditions of climate and geography and the designs were approved as environmentally friendly showing that they were the result of the community’s knowledge of hydrology and environmental sustainability. The Naulas were made with accuracy, rendering them to accommodate reservoirs of stone and labyrinthine carvings or carving that not only beautified but also spoke to the culture of the times.

The fact that Naulas were the main source of drinking water and for other domestic uses by the community made it a reality that the people would be resorting to as well as maintaining them all along for ages. The tradition of building and maintaining Naulas was inherited by the future generations, and, hence, the community members were actively involved in their care.

Details about the Motif 

The image of Naulas in the minds of Kumaoni people is a reflection of their culture and spirituality. These structures are often decorated with engravings and sculptures of deities or any local deity especially of Lord Vishnu, who signifies the holiness of water. The construction of Naulas, in the same style as the temples that have four sided type of roofs to show that the structures are dedicated to a higher power, and made of stone makes it clear that these are mostly of a religious nature. This kind of art is not only an art form of expression, but it also has an additional function which is to ensure that water sources are not contaminated and unattended.

The mythical story of a red snake that is believed to guard the Naula adds a layer to the cultural aspect of the motif and this gives new importance to the concept that the community is the one that should responsible for maintaining these structures. The motif of the community references their profound respect for water, which from their belief water is the divine life-giving resource.

      Reference in Popular Culture

Naulas aren’t the subject of countless popular culture references, but they have appeared in the local folklore, stories, and cultural practices of some very small regions. The deep rooting of Naulas in local peoples’ hearts and minds is unquestionable as is the primary service location of many sacred rituals and rite such as Kalashvivah and sending the newly married to Naulas for the performance of prayer. Over the last few years, the Naula Foundation, and the Hans Foundation have taken various actions to reopen Naulas, such as one of the suitable and more environment-friendly ways to manage water and cultural heritage, and they have even done this globally, among ambitious environmentalists and cultural preservationists. Indeed, the fact that the Naula of Syunrakot is the propertied monument of the Archaeological Survey of India is the last ingredient to cement the historical and the cultural of these structures.

                           Current Status

The fate of Naulas now is that of neglect and deterioration, mainly because of the appearance of a lot of new technology and the installation of widespread piped water supply systems. Neighbors have left many Naulas as they are vegetated or simply not in use, fueling local communities and offering them unreliable but modern sources. In addition, the issue of climate change, deforestation, and urban development has increased the number of problems with Naulas leading to a lack of their original cultural and functional roles. But on the other hand, by making efforts such as local communities, organizations, and government agencies have worked together to restore and protect the structures, the chances of rejuvenation and protection of Naulas opens up. The Hans Foundation project utilizes natural spring water source and the fact that the Syunrakot Naula is a protected monument are samples of the sincere intentions to preserve the Naulas cultural and environmental heritage. Those behaviors by people being the catalyst make the Naulas’ long-lasting nature and the mainstay of cultural activities in the community.

 Conclusion

The Naulas, which are ancient water storage systems utilized in the Uttarakhand region, are a wonderful contribution to the area’s culture, and outdoor conservation. The people have been using these water systems to collect water from the natural springs and store it for later use for centuries. Through modernization, deforestation, and climate change, however, the sustainability of Naulas has been put at a risk, which has resulted in a decrease in the number of their maintenance and usage. Nevertheless, the Naulas still play a vital role in meeting water needs, particularly in the areas where piped water systems are not reliable. Consequently, the revival of Naulas is currently happening, being the joint efforts of the local people and the organizations. The objective of the revival is not only to renovate these structures but to also conserve water in a sustainable way. If we support the greening of the industry keeping in mind Naulas and the promotion of local expertise, the link between the traditions and today will be reestablished, and Naulas will be safe for the future. It is beyond doubt that the preservation of Naulas is not just about keeping the old structures intact, but also about protecting a lifestyle that completely harmonizes with nature and sustainability. It is also about providing future water security. Being in favor of old-time understandings and modern approaches, we can save the amazing water systems.

References

NAULA – The Traditional Water Harvesting System of Uttarakhand

https://wocat.net/documents/1036/QA_India_Naula_Management_and_Conservation._pdf.pdf

Naula : The Ancient Way of Collecting Water in Uttarakhand

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/saving-traditional-water-harvesting-systems-in-uttarakhand-61480

https://www.questel.com/communication/press-release/Questel-Mahila-Haat.pdf https://naulafoundation.org/about.php

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/over-500-year-old-water-reservoir-in-uttarakhands-almora-gets-national-monument-tag/articleshow/97751176.cms

https://janaaastha.com/story/142877