**** NOTICE **** We have moved to a new Home. Please Click Here or type www.amazinglanka.com at the address bar to access the most up-to-date information. |
 Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)- The Civilisation behind the Pokuna -
The pokuna was an indispensable architectural feature in ancient Lanka. They were constructed not only to serve their purpose as baths but with great care and detail of design to fulfil the aesthetic pleasure of those who used it. It was also evidence of an ancient civilisation familiar with techniques of water conservation which created a lake culture in the dry zone of Lanka and a network of great hydraulic engineering feats.
The ancient city of Anuradhapura is dotted all over with ponds large and small and of varying escriptions. Looking around today at some of these restored pieces one is impressed by the combination of advanced hydraulic engineering with elegant designing, intricate trimmings and lively carvings, blended so expertly making them timeless classics. The royal baths at Ran Masu Uyana (the Gold Fish Park) adjoining Isurumuniya, the Kuttam pokuna (the Twin ponds) and the Ath pokuna (the elephant pond) of the Abhayagiri monastery in Anuradhapura show the heights of accomplishment reached by the builders of ancient Anuradhapura. Henry Cave describing the ruined and neglected ancient city of Anuradhapura in 1896 is impressed by the fact that wherever clearings are made pokunas are sure to be unearthed. He says that an interesting feature of the cleared spaces is the large number of stone built baths or tanks called "pokunas", which are so many and varied in architectural treatment, that they must have added greatly to the beautiful aspect of the city. He says; we cannot help reflecting, that the famous baths of the Roman emperors were constructed contemporaneously with these, and that while those of Caracalla and Diocletion being built of brick, have crumbled now beyond repair, the picturesque and elegant baths of Dutthagaminis with their beautiful terraces and stairways of granite can with little trouble be restored to their pristine condition. According to him "the most interesting example yet discovered is the Kuttam pokuna or Twin baths, consisting of a couple of tanks placed end to end". Describing what he saw at that time he says; “the sides are built in projecting tiers of large granite blocks so planned as to form terraces all round the tank at various depths..… Handsome flights of steps descend to the terraces, some of them having carved scrolls on the wings. The bold mouldings of the parapet give an exceedingly fine effect to the sides. There are signs of rich carvings in many parts of the structure, but every portion is too much defaced to trace the designs.” He goes on to say that "there is something very weird about these remnants of ancient luxury hidden in the lonely forest. In the dry season of the year, when the ruined terraces of the Kuttam pokuna can be seen to the depth of 16 feet, this scene is perhaps the most impressive of any in Anuradhapura." Even today the Kuttam pokuna or the Twin ponds attract the most amount of tourists. Though the Ath pokuna is by far the largest, its size makes it a wonder. And the baths in the Royal Pleasure Garden though much smaller in size still retain some of the best carvings of elephants sported in lotus ponds. The Kuttam pokuna translated as the Twin ponds, vary in size and detail of design. The northern pond measures 91 feet long and the southern pond 132 feet long. The width of both ponds remains at 51 feet, and the ponds are separated from each other by 9 feet. Architectural difference confirm that the northern pond was built before the southern pond. The northern pond has two flights of steps consisting of about twenty steps with a simple balustrade. The southern pond has three flights of steps consisting of about eighteen stone steps broken into three stages with three balustrades. The larger pond drew its water from the smaller through a duct situated below the level of the ground connecting the two ponds. The supply of water first flowed into an enclosed area above the ponds. From here the water was fed into the smaller pond through the mouth of the makara. The name Kuttam pokuna is of recent origin. There is no definite information about its date of construction or original name. According to architectural data it has been assigned to a period between the 8th and 10th centuries. It is believed that the ponds were used for bathing purposes by the monks occupying the Abhayagiri Vihara. Professor Paranavitana describing this architectural marvel says, that the stone facings of the different tiers of the baths, the flights of steps with balustrades flanking them and the purnaghatas (full pots) at their entrances, together with the boundary wall, make an architectural design which is most harmonious and full of dignity. The conservation of these ponds were undertaken by the Department of Archaeology in the years 1949 and 1953. It was recorded that the stones of these ponds were very much disturbed and it was one of the biggest jobs of conservation undertaken. Five out of the six purnaghata (full pot)are of recent origin made in cement. Today the sight that greets the tourist at the Kuttam pokuna is delightful. It has been described as the most perfect piece of conservation and restoration carried out in the city of Anuradhapura in modern times. by Kishanie S. Fernando Photos before restoration from www.imagesofceylon.com
Updated :
February 13, 2007
|
