https://www.indiawaterportal.org/people-and-culture/harvest-festival-of-kempakarai-in-krishnagiri-a-celebration-of-land-water-and-continuity https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/4nbbfrr0/Untitled-design.png Kempakarai rests in a forested valley, where farms, homes, and water sources shape life at the edge of the wilderness. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/bz53ivvs/20260428082738.jpeg Only small pools of water remain in a village stream as summer peaks, underscoring the community’s dependence on the monsoon for water and farming https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/5nigwbjb/20260427231330.jpeg A ritual sprinkling of water marks the beginning of the celebrations, symbolising purification, gratitude, and prayers for timely rainfall. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/9se8k6sz/20260428101541.jpeg For over six decades, Amma has watched generations gather for the festival, helping ensure that its customs and rituals are carried forward https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/15wiuino/20260428001300.jpeg Women sort grains and vegetables for rituals honouring water, rain, and harvests. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/fbu3g5wf/20260427223515.jpeg A torchlit procession with Drums and prayers accompanies villagers on their journey to the Maha Kali temple at night. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/osgke2zq/20260428150744.jpeg Seasonal produce is prepared for offerings that celebrate abundance and seek rainfall https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/xd9tpeub/20260427221854.jpeg Villagers carrying torches move through the streets as festivities begin. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/wdziuq6y/20260427223421.jpeg The Maha Kali temple of Kempakarai is cleaned with water and decorated with fairy lights for the festival celebrations. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/qnbiu36d/20260427230224.jpeg Villagers gather around the stepwell, sharing water and prayers for the season ahead. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/3kvcm3bb/20260427231133.jpeg The village stepwell becomes the centre of prayers for the coming monsoon. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/1bttbxce/20260428103427.jpeg Unamalai carries water from the stepwell, preparing for the rituals of the harvest festival. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/k1fasjw0/20260428110402.jpeg At first light, villagers gather water and prepare offerings from fields and forests https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/rlccsam7/20260428103218.jpeg Morning preparations begin across Kempakarai with water collection, cooking, and harvest offerings. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/0ri13zbw/20260428151008.jpeg Women carry offerings through the forests and fields, praying for rain, water, and wellbeing. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/pvheqmt3/20260428163410.jpeg Through forest paths, villagers carry hopes for water, crops, and wellbeing. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/lb1q0c6n/20260428162909.jpeg Despite uncertain rains, the community returns each year to honour water. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/p572aevr/20260428151712.jpeg Unamalai cuts and gathers fodder in the fields, part of the daily work that continues alongside the festival. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/kcdl41h0/20260428161032.jpeg Families and visitors reunite, sharing meals, memories, and stories across generations. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/3tr20hzi/20260427224328.jpeg Relatives and friends gather annually, reaffirming connections to water, heritage, and home. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/bl530eko/20260427231508.jpeg Music, dance, and shared memories bring generations together on the festival’s final evening. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/z34z9yea/20260428101446.jpeg Harvested fields stretch across the valley below as Kempakarai prepares for its annual festival dedicated to water, rain, and renewal. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/yvsoqt69/20260427182921.jpeg Elephants crossing fields and roads shape farming decisions and daily village life. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-29/fb6l4858/20260428100404.jpeg The festival ends and visitors depart carrying memories of a celebration rooted in water stewardship throughout the year and a sense of belonging. indiawaterportal en 2026-05-29T14:43:36.541Z Harvest festival of Kempakarai in Krishnagiri: A celebration of land, water, and continuity harvest festival, water festival, Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary, tribal communities Tamil Nadu, stepwell, traditional water conservation, rural water conservation, water and agriculture India https://www.indiawaterportal.org/opportunities/communications-associate-wetlands-international-south-asia indiawaterportal en 2026-05-28T12:20:50.912Z Communications Associate, Wetlands International South Asia Opportunities https://www.indiawaterportal.org/opportunities/lead-policy-engagement-climate-and-agroecology-vaagdhara indiawaterportal en 2026-05-28T12:17:43.000Z Lead Policy Engagement (Climate and Agroecology), VAAGDHARA Opportunities https://www.indiawaterportal.org/opportunities/associate-director-climate-resilience-nrdc indiawaterportal en 2026-05-28T12:12:40.712Z Associate Director- Climate Resilience, NRDC Opportunities https://www.indiawaterportal.org/rivers-and-lakes/why-guwahatis-wetlands-matter-for-food-resilience-biodiversity-and-urban-futures-of-india https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-27/fw5hxaq9/Deepor-beel.jpg Deepor beel in Guwahati. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-27/qg1mi8cu/Deepor-beel1.jpg Guwahati’s waste often finds its way to the periphery of water bodies such as the Deepor beel. https://media.assettype.com/indiawaterportal/2026-05-27/625zzyfz/Deepor-women.jpg Communities depend on the Deepor beel for their livelihoods. indiawaterportal en 2026-05-27T19:07:14.202Z Why Guwahati’s wetlands matter for food resilience, biodiversity and urban futures of India wetlands, Deepor Beel, Guwahati, biodiversity, urban commons, Ramsar Convention, ecology, common pool resources, privatisation, urban development, water quality, fisheries, agriculture, livelihoods