Water Storage in Rajasthan: Adapting to Aridity

The state is divided into nine cultural regions. They are-
1. Vagad
2. Mewar
3. Hadoti
4. Godwad
5. Marwar
6. Merwara
7. Dhundhar
8. Mewat-Brij
9. Shekhawati

The map indicates different vernacular water pitcher storages documented across the state during the field visits.

The stone ledge in the paniyara has a spout or a slope on either side of the ledge. It is for the excess water to drip off. A container is kept at the bottom to collect the water.

A shelf is provided in the paniyara as seen in the image to keep tumblers for drinking water. Due to the cultural reverence of water, paniyara is worshiped everyday. At the top, aala (wall niche) is built on this paniyara in which items of daily worship like cotton to make wicks, vermillion and other such items are kept.

While fetching water from the nearest source, women use induni (pot ring) to balance pots on head. Hence, a khuti (wall peg) is fixed on either sides of paniyara.

This paniyara, located at the entrance of a traditional house in Banswara, had a hole made through to the external wall where the spout was built. The excess water would drain out through the hole and spill outside in the courtyard.

Prints of deities or photographs of deceased ancestors are placed on the taan (shelf) of paniyara; both of which would be worshipped along with the paniyara.

The niche below the stone ledge of paniyara is provided to store extra pots filled with water to last a couple of days.

Nowadays, people use plastic cans and buckets to store water as well apart from the traditional earthen or metal pots and pitchers.

It is a common sight to see two water pitcher storages built in a house – one at the entrance for the passerby to quench their thirst, and the other in the kitchen or living room of the house for the family to drink water.

This parinda, frugal in nature, was built on the outside wall of the house. Along with a metal pot, a few tumblers were also kept for people to drink water from it.

Depression was made in the stone ledge to keep the pot on it. It would keep the pot upright and balance it.

In the interior spaces, the height of the parinda can vary from the ground. This parinda found in the kitchen of the house in Bhilwara district was built at lower height. Pitchers were filled with water used for cooking and other purposes.

Chamfered cut-outs are provided on the horizontal surface that supports the water pots and pitchers.

The front corners of a ghaduchi would often have carved animal figures, the most common representations including but not limited to horses, peacocks and parakeets.

Along the three surfaces of the pendo, a U-shaped platform is provided to put multiple water pots as the havelis would have around fifteen members living in the joint family.

Industrial manufacture has challenged the vernacular furniture and put pressure on and changed craft ecosystems. But, this paniyara is a perfect example of how with changing context and time, the tradition and cultural practice is continued.