Under the scorching midday sun, women in R. Pudhupattinam, a coastal village about 60 kilometres from Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu, continue a daily ritual that has sustained generations. Barefoot and carrying as many containers as they can, the women walk two or three kilometres along the shoreline to collect drinking water from shallow pits dug on the beach.
The fishing village, known for its close relationship with the sea, depends on freshwater from beachside pits. Residents believe the naturally filtered water is healthier than commercially supplied alternatives. Many are of the view that packaged and canned water, which they say contains chlorine, often causes cold and other health issues.
“Our ancestors drew freshwater from this beachside pit since the British colonial period,” said R. Danabakkiyam, a resident of the village. The water is traditionally used for cooking meals for fishermen before they venture into sea, with locals believing it enhances the taste and nutritional value of food.
The site is regarded as sacred by the community. Villagers strictly prohibit sand removal and avoid planting vegetation in the area. Residents say the pits to collect the water are an integral part of life here.
Besides Pudhupattinam residents, people from neighbouring villages also travel to the site to collect water, with activity beginning as early as 4 a.m. and continuing until 10 p.m. Some even visit at midnight to meet their household water needs.
However, concerns about the future of the water source are growing.
Pushpam, a resident of the nearby coastal village of Gopalapattinam near Mimisal, said the quality of water has deteriorated over the past year due to littering and inadequate maintenance, and added that the government should protect the site. Villagers have to carry containers of water across a bridge. They said the bridge becomes unusable and unsafe during rains, and appealed to authorities for regular maintenance.
For these villagers, the freshwater pits are more than just a source of drinking water — they are a surviving link to the community’s history, tradition, and resilience.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
Carriers of life: For decades, collecting drinking water from hand-dug pits in the beach is an integral part of life for women in the coastal village of
R. Pudhupattinam, 60km from Pudukottai. They carry the water for over two kilometres across a damaged bridge.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
Daily chore: Pudhupattinam residents walk a couple of kilometres daily to collect water from beachside pits. They say the water from this source is of good quality and has nutritional value.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
Water on wheels: A vendor selling water on a mini-truck fills a container for a resident of Pudhupattinam. The villagers are of the view that packaged or canned water causes cold and other health issues.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
Harvest hours: Water collection at these beach pits begins as early as 4 a.m. and continues until 10 p.m. Some even visit at midnight to fulfil their water requirements.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
Hot pursuit: In summer, women brave the scorching sun, at 40 degrees Celsius and above, to make the arduous journey to collect water and carry back the pots home.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
A routine for years: A woman collects the freshwater in a pit dug on the beach at Pudhupattinam. These pits are dug by hand and women carry a ladle-like equipment to collect the water.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
Collaborative work: Women collect water from a beach pit. They use a rudimentary filter using cloth to remove sand particles.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
Faith in nature: The water has been traditionally used for cooking meals for fishermen before they venture into sea. Villagers believe the water enhances the taste and nutritional value of food.
Photo:
Johan Sathyadas J
Tiring trip: Villagers carry the containers of water across the backwaters using a bridge. They say the bridge becomes unusable and unsafe during rains.
Published – June 07, 2026 08:11 am IST
