Bahour Lake – History

Bahour Lake – History

The lake was in existence since the Chola Period. Inscriptions of Krishna III (Kannaradeva) of Rashtrakuta Dynasty give an account of the lake as Peria Eri (the big lake) and also as Kadambu Eri (the lake surrounded by Kadambu Trees). An inscription dated to the reign of Rajaraja Chola I provides an information about the collection of tax in the form of paddy for the maintenance of the lake. The failure of paying the tax would make them to pay 25 gold currencies and the task of digging up the lake.

There are also accounts of a council of elders known as Eri Varya Perumakkal whose responsibility was to look after the maintenance of lake and proper distribution of its water. Inscriptions of Chola Emperor Rajendra I mention how besides the tank task in form of paddy, every year, a pit measuring two rods by width and one rod by depth was to be dug by each member of the village aged between 10 - 80 years excepting untouchables. 

There are mentions of punishments in form of compensation even to the Lake Committee if they failed to collect taxes. Public works at the lake have been historically done by Devdasis. The Moolanathaswamy Temple in Bahour displays numerous sculptures of Devdasis carved out of granite in various dancing postures. The plaque on the western side of the Aayi Mandapam Monument narrates how two Devdasi sisters Bangari and Singari were responsible for the renewal of the lake.

Bangari, to put an end to the dependency of the lake on rain water had taken up the task of building an irrigation canal which was excavated from Pennaiyar River to Bahour Lake and ran at the length of 13 Kms. Singari took up the task of renovating and desilting the lake. It was this initiative of the two sisters that had benefitted the whole of Bahour.