Tanker water used to fill sacred pond Ramkund in Maharashtra

Ramkund, the sacred pond on the banks of Godavari river here which had dried up, was finally filled with water from tankers and wells.

Nashik mayor Ashok Murtadak said he had appealed to owners of water tankers to pour water in Ramkund.

"They (owners of water tankers) gave response and filled Ramkund yesterday using waters from 50-60 tanks," he said.

Following this, locals could take a holy dip yesterday to mark 'Gudi Padwa' (Marathi New Year), the mayor added.

It was for the first time in last 139 years that Ramkund had dried up as water stock in Gangapur dam had gone down due to severe drought and scanty rainfall last year.

"Ramkund has gone dry after 139 years as irrigation authorities stopped release of water (from Gangapur dam) into the river as keeping water for drinking is their first priority now," Devang Jani of Godapremi Urban Action Committee had said.