Odisha has a long tradition of cultural conservation. The philosophy of conservation lies in the culture and ethos of a society that encompasses care of the forest in the…

  From pre-historic times, the banyan tree has been associated with the life and culture of the people of Odisha, and thus its ecology and environment. Depending on the need,…

  Many hundreds of years ago, when great temples arose across the length and breadth of India, some of the greatest expressions of religious creativity were built in the holy…

  The term Zabo is derived from the word zabö, which is used for “impounding runoff water” in Chakhesang dialect. Zabo is also known as Dzüdü or Ruza system in…

     Meghalaya is well-known for having the highest rainfall in the world of about 11500 mm recorded annually. This makes Meghalaya the wettest places on earth. Though the local areas get…

  Background Water harvesting is an age-old concept in India. Traditional systems are specific responses to ecology and culture of the region in which they evolved. Traditional systems have benefited…

  The tanks are the bodies of water located in the vicinity of the temples. They are specially constructed to store holy water. As the water is meant for ‘abhishek’…

  Various animals are considered sacred by different religions and cultures of the world. In India, several animals are regarded sacred by one or more communities and thus they have…

  The direct evidence for volcanic origin of Sahyadri comes from presence of hot water springs at scattered sites. They are sulphur-rich springs regarded as holy kundas. These are popularly…

  The cult of snake worship in Kerala is closely interwoven with the life of the people of the State and is a component of its rich cultural heritage. Both…