Water Quality Index of Religious tanks in the temples of Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District

The present investigation was carried out to assess the water quality in a selected temple and its tanks in Kumbakonam city, Thanjavur district, based on the highest number of tourist visits, which falls under the Tamilnadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments [HR&CE] Department, Ministry of Government of Tamilnadu. According to a number of physicochemical studies, the principal sources of elevated levels of TDS, turbidity, electrical conductivity, and free ammonia include surface runoff, devotees’ washing and bathing activities, and the outflow of sewage and rubbish from temples. The findings revealed that anthropogenic activities had a detrimental impact on the tanks at Porthamarai Temple and Aadhi Kumbeshwar Temple and that there was a trend towards growing eutrophication, with the Abhi Mukeshwara Mahamagam Temple tank trailing behind. The present study proposed that awareness campaigns be established in the adjacent metropolis to educate people about the negative effects of water contamination in temple ponds. It is advised that all tanks be replenished with freshwater on a regular basis using appropriate inlet and output channels.