A century old perennial water source

Pithapuram: Like perennial rivers that keep flowing round the year there is a well that hasn't dried up for a century now. The well was dug by ancestors of Yaatham family at Kumarapuram village. It is considered Goddess Ganga. It was the only source of water - at a point in time when there were no tap connections – catering to the requirements of the entire village. The water is used for quenching the thirst of livestock too.

It is said that years ago two brothers from Yaatham family shared all their properties excluding the well. The two brothers have 12 sons. As the years passed by the family tree bore fruits extending it to 50 members. All these members are still using the well jointly. It can be said that the well has been serving as the connecting bond between the 12 families.

The well is located at the center of the road. The Gram panchayat recently laid concrete road, leaving the well as it is, as the villagers as the villagers were against its’ closure. But, the well's diameter has been decreased and transformed into an open well. The well continues to be a perennial source for the villagers even during scorching summer when all other water bodies are going dry.

The villagers say they are accustomed to the water from the well and continue to source from it for their needs, despite there being tap connections in each and every house. Travelers, too, quench their thirst at this well. The villagers say that the well has been preventing water scarcity. Although, the well belongs to Yaatham family, the family members never restricted anyone from using the incessant water source.

By By Saride Nageswara Rao