{"id":105295,"date":"2022-12-08T05:10:32","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T05:10:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=105295"},"modified":"2024-01-05T06:20:11","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T06:20:11","slug":"kaludiya-pokuna-convergence-of-history-archaeology-and-panorama-by-arundathie-abeysinghe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/kaludiya-pokuna-convergence-of-history-archaeology-and-panorama-by-arundathie-abeysinghe\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaludiya Pokuna: Convergence of History, Archaeology and Panorama – By Arundathie Abeysinghe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kaludiya Pokuna: Convergence of History, Archaeology and Panorama – <\/strong>By Arundathie Abeysinghe<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Kaludiya<\/a><\/p>\n

image Source : researchgate<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"ArundathieSri Lanka is bestowed with religious, historical and archaeological sites, some of which are in ruins, at present. *Mihintale, considered as the \u201cCradle of Buddhism\u201d is a location where one of the most significant events in Sri Lanka\u2019s history, the meeting between Arhat Mahinda (son of Emperor Asoka of India) and King Devanampiyatissa (306 BC \u2013 266 BC) took place. Hence, Buddhism in Sri Lanka is inextricably linked to Mihintale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Situated off the beaten track and rarely visited by the majority of tourists, Kaludiya Pokuna (meaning Black Water Pond \u2013 \u201ckalu\u201d meaning black, \u201cdiya\u201d meaning water and \u201cpokuna\u201d meaning pond) is a breathtaking site located at the foot of the western slopes of Mihintale. It is the largest among ponds in Mihintale. Most scholars are of the view that Kaludiya Pokuna may be the ancient Porodini Pokuna inscribed in the tablets of *Mahinda IV.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rajagirilena (\u201clena\u201d meaning cave in Sinhala), (\u201cRajagiri\u201d or \u201cRajagiri Kanda\u201d meaning the hill of the kings) that has been converted into caves is a magnificent site situated in close proximity to Kaludiya Pokuna.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amongst its serene, tranquil, forest and boulder-clad environs there are earliest examples of hydraulic engineering skills blended with landscaping and sculpture constructed by our forefathers. The complex of well-planned structures around Kaludiya Pokuna depicts an advanced hydraulic civilization with artificial moats including bath houses that have been utilized in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to scholars, the monastic establishment in close proximity to Kaludiya Pokuna has paved the way for the development of an impressive network of irrigation channels utilizing natural as well as artificial ponds and waterways.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scholars are of the view that the name \u201cKaludiya Pokuna\u201d would have also evolved due to the somber reflections of trees and boulders of the adjacent forests and mountains that can be seen at certain hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Around Kaludiya Pokuna, there are remains of an ancient Monastery with a stupa<\/em>, *uposathaghara<\/em> or poya ge<\/em>, promenade for walking, pirivena <\/em>(monastic college for the education of monks), residential cells and a bath house.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is also a cave dwelling in the vicinity, located under a huge overhanging of a boulder. Smooth granite slabs and brick are blended together to form the enclosing walls of the cave, instead of the usual brick and mortar. According to scholars, this would have been the bathing house attached to a pond utilized by monks (for bathing).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kaludiya Pokuna and the ponds below Mihintale old monastery would have been utilized by the monks to fulfill their requirements of water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kaludiya Pokuna ancient site can be accessed from the main road, almost opposite the entrance to the Rajagirikanda caves of Minintale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Image courtesy \u2013 amazinglanka.com, pinterst.com & researchgate.net<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n