The traditional water tank called Jarunhiti was once widely used in the Newar community of Nepal. Now the Jarunhiti is disappearing day-by-day and Nepal is on the verge of losing a valuable part of its cultural heritage.

Many traditional values are vanishing from the country because of the rapid change in the society, politics, and social/cultural behavior of the local people. This book, which is compiled by a photographer, archeologist, and an ethnographer, provides analysis of this cultural crisis.

The book is enriched with photographs of Jarunhiti situated in the different localities of Patan and portrays its usage from the past to present. It asks us to reconsider the future of our cultural heritage and traditional values. We hope this book will be a valuable historical record in the future.