Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)

Twin Ponds or Kuttam Pokuna is located in Anuradhapura and is evidence of the best ancient hydrological architecture. During the era of King Aggabodhi, The ponds had been built for monks. Abhayagiri monastery monks used these twin ponds for bathing purposes and to relax along the steps.

They are not physically identical even though these ponds are “Twin ponds”. The two ponds differ in their lengths. The Southern pond is greater than the Northern pond nearly by 41 feet and the depth differs nearly by 3 feet. By using the steps or staircase, one can reach the bottom of the ponds.

Water Supply to the Ponds

Water was transported from a rainwater reservoir over a distance of 3 km (1.9 mi) to the ponds through underground ducts. Before the water entered the northern pond via the stone spout in the northern wall, it passed through the filter system. Through the underground duct, the water passed from the north pond to the south pond. Eventually, the water was drained from both ponds through a drain on the bottom of the small pond, to be used to water nearby rice fields.

Although the architect of this Twin ponds is untold, the creativity behind him is still surprising. Without modern Engineering equipment and technology, it is still unbelievable, to those who visit Twin ponds.

To prove the talent of our ancestors, one of the best pieces of archaeological evidence left in Sri Lanka is Kuttam Pokuna.