Boasting a surreal outlook with its brilliantly carved dimensions, the pools of Kuttam Pokuna are one of Sri Lanka’s best-preserved specimens of bathing tanks that were built during the Anuradhapura Era. The tanks are a testament for architectural and engineering ingenuity of ancient civilizations that flourished and thrived in this land aeons ago. The site also provides concrete evidence for the prevalence of an advanced irrigation system during the time where modern devices and technological equipment were completely absent; this fact still baffles historians as well as scientists!
The intricately carved sculptures and objects adorn the tanks, and these make them dazzle in the aspects of art as well! As for their dimensions, one of the tanks is smaller in size measures up as 91ft by 51ft and the larger one is 132ft by 51ft. The depths of these pools are 18ft and 14ft for the smaller and the larger pool respectively. The pools are part of a well-landscaped garden that is believed to be part of the site dedicated to monks and this speculation has been made since the ponds are located at proximity to several ancient religious monuments and ruins.
The tanks also feature a unique construction method which has contributed to the fact that it has been made entirely of cut granite slabs. Embankments are also visible in the tanks which have been made to make it easier for monks to bathe scooping out water using utensils and pots. Water to the tanks was cleverly distributed through underwater ducts and there is evidence that the tanks have a filtration system as well. Not only the pool’s background but also the view of it brings you a profound sense of discovery and it feeds your curiosity. With its mysterious presence and magnificent outlook, a visit to this site will certainly inspire awe in your minds and will indeed be a worthwhile experience!
