Role of Water Shaping in the Cultural Landscape of the Cauvery Delta Region, Tamil Nadu

This study investigates the pivotal role of water in shaping the cultural landscape of the Cauvery Delta region, Tamil Nadu one of India's most ancient, ecologically rich, and hydrologically complex heritage territories. The Cauvery (Kaveri), revered as Goddess Dakshina Ganga, has structured the delta’s-built environment, agricultural rhythms, ritual calendars, and settlement morphology for over two millennia. Temple tanks (kulam/eri), the Grand Anicut (Kallanai, c. 100 CE), sacred ghats (Papanasam, Kumbakonam), irrigation cascades, and the Chola-era tank-temple complexes (Brihadisvara, Kumbeswarar) collectively embody a sophisticated hydro-cultural civilisation whose integrity is now threatened by upstream dams, agricultural encroachment, and rapid urbanisation. Employing a Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Design (QUAN → QUAL) directly parallel to the Varanasi study (Narasimman & Rao, 2025), the quantitative phase applies GIS Nearest Neighbour Index (NNI) analysis to confirm non-random clustering of temples and tanks along Cauvery distributary channels (NNI = 0.42; z = −8.73; p < 0.001), and a 20-question Likert-scale survey (N=148) generates composite scores across seven parameters (P1–P7). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via correlation matrix identifies causal pathways, while the qualitative phase integrates content analysis, architectural tracing, and a detailed case study of Porthamarai Kulam (Kumbakonam). Results reveal Architectural Adaptation (P3) as the highest affirmed construct (x̄=4.58), driven by the sacred-functional nexus of tank-temple ensembles. A Delta Pollution Paradox emerges whereby agricultural runoff and upstream water diversion (P4) threatens the spiritual core (P1) and intangible heritage (P5). The Kudimaramathu Imperative the revitalisation of community-based tank maintenance is identified as the primary resilience strategy. Findings advocate for an integrated Delta Heritage Conservation Framework, positioning Cauvery water-based cultural landscapes as living infrastructure for climate adaptation and SDG 6 implementation.