Theertham

Theertham (Theertha or Tirtha) literally refers to water. In Hindu sacred literature, it is referred to as the physical holy water body associated with a temple or deity. As per Hindu religious belief, water is the principal purification mechanism. While external purification is believed to be through a dip in sacred water bodies, internal purification is through truthfulness. Most Hindu temples are associated with bodies of water, which are called Theertham. In Vishnu temples, devotees are offered a few drops of sacred water called Theertham.

There are various Hindu legends which mention that the temples tanks are usually created by celestial bodies or have been propitiated off their curse by taking a holy dip in such bodies of water. The names of such bodies of water are usually named after the celestial bodies or the characteristics of the sin propitiated.