27 April 2026
Workshop Report
Insights on Water Resources Management from Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
Ācārya Hall (AB1), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore Campus (Ettimadai)
The Department of Amrita Darshanam, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore Campus (Ettimadai), organised a one-day workshop titled “Insights on Water Resources Management from Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)” on 27 April 2026, in association with Central Sanskrit University, Delhi.
The workshop was organised as part of the ongoing Aṣṭādaśī Project on the applicability of ancient Indian techniques and procedures for water-resource management in rural areas, with particular reference to the Jalārgaḷaśāstra of Varāhamihira’s Bṛhatsaṃhitā.
83
participants attended
The workshop explored the relevance of Indian Knowledge Systems to water conservation and sustainable water-resource management, bringing traditional knowledge into dialogue with contemporary perspectives on water, environment and sustainability. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation.
The programme also provided an opportunity to share the objectives and progress of the Aṣṭādaśī Project and to demonstrate its digital and multilingual knowledge resources.
The workshop began with ceremonial lamp lighting, Vedic chanting and a welcome address by Dr. U. K. V. Sarma.
The inaugural programme included the Presidential Address by Dr. Sasangan Ramanathan, Dean, School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and an online inaugural address by Prof. R. G. Murali Krishna, I/C Registrar, Central Sanskrit University, Delhi.
- Keynote Address: Contemporary Relevance of Ancient Indian Wisdom for Water Conservation — Dr. Sunil Chaturvedi
- Jalam Jīvanāmṛtam — Dr. Eswaran E. N.
- Lōkōpakāra of Cāvuṇḍarāya — Dr. A. Rangaswamy (online)
- Hydro Science in Indian Tradition and Scriptures — Dr. Sunil Chaturvedi
- Applied research combining ancient Indian knowledge with modern simulation tools — Dr. Srikrishnan A. R.
- Aṣṭādaśī Project presentation and demonstration of Salilargalam.in — Dr. U. K. V. Sarma
Together, these sessions brought together perspectives from Indian textual traditions, traditional environmental knowledge, water science, contemporary research methodologies and digital knowledge dissemination.
A significant component of the workshop was the presentation and demonstration of the Aṣṭādaśī Project and its digital platform, Salilargalam.in.
The presentation introduced the Varāhamihira's on documenting and studying traditional knowledge relating to water-resource management, with particular focus on the Jalārgaḷaśāstra of Varāhamihira's Bṛhatsaṃhitā.
The demonstration also showcased the project's multilingual textual resources and digital dissemination initiatives, designed to make the relevant knowledge accessible to students, researchers, scholars and a wider audience interested in Indian Knowledge Systems and traditional water-resource management.
The workshop recorded 83 participants, comprising:
15 faculty members | 2 research scholars | 60 students | 1 external participant | 5 online participants
The programme created a platform for meaningful dialogue between traditional Indian knowledge systems and contemporary approaches to sustainable water management. It strengthened awareness of SDG 6, introduced participants to the objectives and resources of the Aṣṭādaśī Project, and demonstrated the potential of digital and multilingual platforms for preserving and disseminating traditional knowledge.
The workshop highlighted the continuing relevance of Indian Knowledge Systems to contemporary concerns surrounding water conservation, sustainability and responsible resource management. Through its combination of scholarly presentations, interdisciplinary perspectives and digital demonstration, the programme contributed to a deeper engagement with traditional water-related knowledge and its possible relevance to present-day challenges.
The workshop thus marked an important outreach and dissemination activity of the Aṣṭādaśī Project, while providing a forum for connecting India's intellectual heritage with contemporary efforts towards a water-secure and sustainable future.
Workshop Photographs
A selection of photographs from the workshop held on 27 April 2026.
