dighi

Dighi is a term commonly used in Marathi and related languages to denote a large artificial water body, such as a pond or tank, built for storage of irrigation water, drinking water, and other communal needs. In many rural and urban areas of Maharashtra and neighboring regions, a dighi has historically been a focal point for water supply, agriculture, and daily life.

Etymology and usage reflect the practical role of these water bodies. The word is typically associated with sizeable tanks that were excavated or embanked and sometimes lined with masonry. Dighis vary in construction and scale, from simple rain-fed ponds to more substantial reservoirs established under royal, religious, or municipal patronage. They often supported local irrigation, livestock, and domestic use, and in some communities served as sites for bathing, ritual purification, and festival activities.

Place names and localities bearing the name Dighi are common in Maharashtra, where geographic features are frequently named after prominent dighis nearby. As a toponym, the term indicates a historical or enduring association with a water body that influenced settlement patterns and daily life. The word also appears in family names and surname variants in the region, reflecting the broader social and historical footprint of water bodies in local culture.

Today, many dighis remain important for water management, habitat, and heritage. Some have been integrated into modern irrigation schemes or urban water supply networks, while others survive as historical landmarks that illustrate traditional methods of community water stewardship.