Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Suranga - In Search of Wellsprings

Have you ever thought of walking into a narrow horizontal tunnel, barely two-and-a-half feet wide and just over five-and-a-half feet high, that leads to a water spring?

Feels fancy, doesn’t it?

Come to Kasaragod and see it for yourself!

Popularly known as Suranga or Thurangam, these artificial tunnel wells are carved in the slopes of laterite hills so that people can walk towards the water source. A typical suranga can run from anywhere between 30 metres to 300 metres through a hill. This is one of the most sustainable water management systems that have been in use in and around the Kasaragod district for generations.

Surangas are designed by experts. C. Kunjambu is the lone surviving artisan who has carved out many surangas over 80 feet long, and in his 66th year is still active in the field.

This unique harvesting system has been practised in Kasaragod since time immemorial to cope with water scarcity in the region.

In these tunnel wells, the flow is systematically channelised so as to collect water in a mud reservoirs. There are about 5000 surangas in Kasaragod district alone.

The suranga holds the memories of the olden times, reflects the culture of the people of those days, and showcases the ingenious manner in which humans have harnessed the blessings of Nature.

Though once suranga played a vital role in the life of Kasaragod and continues to be a lifeline to many residents even today, it is a major tourist attraction in the district in these modern times.