• Latest
By The Eth Pokuna

By The Eth Pokuna

December 5, 2022
Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

March 3, 2023
Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

March 3, 2023
DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

March 3, 2023
A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

March 3, 2023
The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

February 7, 2023
Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

February 7, 2023
The Art of Local Writing

The Art of Local Writing

February 7, 2023
Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic

February 7, 2023
Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

January 11, 2023
Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

January 13, 2023
Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

January 11, 2023
Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

January 11, 2023
Retail
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Subscription
Advertise
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • April 2022
        • May 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

By The Eth Pokuna

in Featured, September 2014
0 0
0
The Eth Pokuna, measuring 159m in length, 52.7m in width and nine metres in depth

Hidden amidst the glory of the Abhayagiri Stupa that towers over the remnants scattered over an area encompassing nearly 500 acres, lies a pond that is little known. Though by no means small in size, Eth Pokuna or the Elephant Pond as it is called, is one of the great marvels that speaks of the ancient irrigation wonders of Sri Lanka. 

Words Krishani Peiris Photographs Indika De Silva

Scrambling over the various ruins that seem to cover every inch as far as the eye could see, we made our way through in search of the rumoured Eth Pokuna. On the way we passed a mile post with the number ‘5’ etched in black, which seemed to be strangely out of place in this space that encompassed remnants of a past that ran back many centuries. And we surmised that perhaps prior to the rediscovery of this temple complex, a main road may have run through the area.

All too soon we arrived at the Eth Pokuna and the sheer breadth of this impressive structure surprised us. It was clear to us as to why this is reputed to be the largest man-made pond, not only within the Abhayagiri Temple premises but in Anuradhapura as well. Filled with water that seemed to glimmer almost emerald in the sun rays, it is deemed that the pond was used by monks who lived in the surrounding buildings for their daily ablutions and other water related necessities. Though it is not clear as to how the name Eth Pokuna has came in to being, The Maha Bodhi Vanshaya written in the 12th Century refers to two ponds in the Abhayagiri temple complex named Diggal Vila and Masthota pond and also of a Masthota Pirivena. As such some believe that the Eth Pokuna could be the Masthota pond mentioned in this old book.

Did you know?

Eth Pokuna is reputed to be the largest man-made pond, not only within the Abhayagiri Temple premises but in Anuradhapura as well

Measuring 159m in length, 52.7m in width and nine metres in depth, the pond has a rectangular shape with all four sides or banks arranged with blocks of stone, trapping the water in its midst. Here and there, uncovered, are what some experts believe to be ruins of an underground channel system that may have carried water to and from the pond to the nearby Dhana Shala. Further it is said that, looking at the same channel system, as well as the various stone beams protruding from the banks of the pond, the Peramiyan Kulam as well as the Bulankulama Wewa may have acted as water sources for the pond.

It is deemed that the pond was used by monks who lived in the surrounding buildings for their daily ablutions and other water related necessities

Clear blue skies speckled with drifting clouds hung over the Eth Pokuna casting a dim reflection in the dark waters of the pond. Crowded with shady trees along its stone banks, we observed many people strolling about or simply sitting down to enjoy the beauty as well as the cooling shelter of the numerous trees. Revelling in this soothing atmosphere we lingered for a while before heading to the Abhayagiri Stupa…

Tags: Tranquil
TweetShareShare

Search

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka Online, the web edition of Sri Lanka’s leading monthly corporate publication. Founded in 1996, the magazine currently has a distribution of over 6,000 copies island-wide.

Recent News

  • Investec Cape Town Art Fair
  • Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development
  • DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

Find Us

Explore Sri Lanka
20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing
R. A. De Mel Mawatha
Colombo 04
Sri Lanka.
(+94 11) 259 7991
(+94) 715 134 134
info@btoptions.com
btoptions.com

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
      • 2011
      • 2012
      • 2013
      • 2014
      • 2015
      • 2016
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
      • 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In