Indra, the rain God: The earth was parched as the early Aryans were settling down with agriculture. Water gained a lot of importance during this period since they faced severe drought conditions for ten years. The Rigveda, which gave great importance to the natural elements was written during this period. The Aryans began to worship Indra, the powerful god of thunder, known to destroy Vritra, the dragon of drought. Indra releases the monsoon rains vital for the seeds to grow into a crop.

The Bull, the rain bringer: A deity named Parjanya, is often described as a bull that quickens the plants and the earth. The name Parjanya literally means the ‘rain cloud’. His bellowing is associated with thunder and lightning. The bull is also called Vrushabh, an Aryan god. ‘Vrush’ meaning the one who showers, or the one who brings rains. He ploughs the lands and brings fertility. He is the father and the earth a mother. The farmers worship this bull. Even today, the farmers keep at least one bull and elaborate pujas are conducted for him. The winds blow forth, the lightnings fall; The plants shoot up; heaven overflows. Nurture is born for the whole world when Parjanya quickens the earth with seed. Draw up the great bucket, pour it down; Let the streams released flow forward. Drench the heaven and earth with ghee; let there be a good drinking place for cows. - Rigveda.

Ganga’s Descent: Bhageerath’s great efforts resulted in Ganga’s descent. An important event in the Hindu mythology, Ganga changed Indian lives forever. She came flowing down and fertilised the lands that were earlier dependent on irregular rainfall. She made our lands sujalaam sufalaam. Her life giving quality made her a mother goddess. From then on Ganga’s water was used in all sanskaars from birth to marriage to death.

The New Beginning: This is a story of a fish that grew bigger and bigger. King Manu, the first ruler of the world was washing his hands at a river when a fish swam into his hands and asked for help. Manu took him to various places but the fish outgrew everything quickly. Finally he left the fish into the ocean. This fish was Vishnu’s first avtaar, who in turn informed Manu of the arrival of the great flood. He instructed Manu to gather all the necessary seeds, animals and saptarishis. The Matsyavtaar took Manu and all that he had gathered to a place where mankind could start over again.

Mahabharat & Water: Arjuna sent an arrow into the earth and the water of Ganga flowed out. A snippet from the verse in Mahabharata shows the deep knowledge about water that existed— Charity of water is greater than charity of food. Life cannot exist without water. Charity of water means charity of life. Charity of water will lead to fame, success, long life, defeat of enemies, freedom from sins and gain of punya. Water bodies are a resting place for everybody. This includes gods, man, demigods, forefathers, demons, animals, birds and aquatic life. Charity of water will lead to the prosperity of the future generations.

Bishnois, the protectors: Amrita Devi and her three daughters were killed by the men of Maharaja Abhay Singh and then 363 more killed as they embraced the Khejarli trees. The trees were needed for the construction of Maharaja’s palace. The martyrs were Bishnois. Jambho Ji, a visionary, founded this radical religion based on protecting nature. The Bishnois live by twenty nine commandments, out of which one instructs against the felling of green trees. They protect groves, which in turn brings rains.

Frogs and rain: In Assam, frogs are married to bring rains. This belief comes from the fact that frogs croak before the rains. Their croaks are compared to the chanting of hymns. The belief protects frogs from being killed. The frogs having lain for a year, like Brahmins practising a vow, have uttered forth their voice roused by Parjanya. When the heavenly waters came upon him lying like a dry leather bag in a lake, then the sound of the frog unites like the lowing of cows accompanied by calves. - Rigveda 7.103, 1 & 2".

Snake worship: Women in brightly coloured sarees, flowers in their hair and mehendi on their hands go to the snake god and offer him milk and flowers to pray for fertility, suitable grooms and most importantly, protection. The snake is the god of patalganga - the ganga under the earth. Before monsoons the snakes come out of the their holes to avoid drowning in them. It is believed that if one prays to them during this period, they don’t enter homes or cause harm.

Shravan, the monsoons: The rains drench the earth and bring with them the holy month of Shravan. Believers abstain from eating meat and fish during this period. The seas are stormy and dangerous and the fishing activities are halted. It is also the season for fish breeding. After the monsoons the fishermen pray to appease the sea-god, Varun. They pray for a calm sea so that they can resume their fishing activities safely. The Narali Purnima is celebrated to signify the end of monsoons and the start of a new fishing season.

Sprinkling of water: In all cultures in India, water is sprinkled on the devotee as a gesture of purification. In Buddhist initiation ceremonies, water is sprinkled on the earth. This is like the sprinkling of water on a field sown with seeds. It is a metaphor for the growth of the student towards enlightenment.

Gods from Earth: Goddess Durga and Ganapati and Gauri come into our homes once a year. Their beautiful idols used to be made with clay from the banks of rivers. When time comes for them to leave, they are immersed in rivers and seas. Immersion of clay idols signifies the cycle of life. What comes from earth becomes one with earth again. The formless gives way to form and form gives away to formlessness.

Stepwells: Architectural wonders, the step wells were perfect for the changing water levels and rain water percolation. They were resting places for people and a cool shelter for birds and animals. Apsaras with powers of granting boons were supposed to reside near the wells. Even the Gods were believed to be drawn to to the well to drink the elixir. Now they have turned into places of worship and are protected heritage sites. Stepwells are a big contribution from India to the world in water management.