Pathaha Pokuna

Pathaha Pokuna
පතහ පොකුණ
Location Udugampola, Sri Lanka
Coordinates 7°07′48.2″N 79°59′03.6″E / 7.130056°N 79.984333°E / 7.130056; 79.984333Coordinates: 7°07′48.2″N 79°59′03.6″E / 7.130056°N 79.984333°E / 7.130056; 79.984333
Type Bathing tank
Designation Archaeological protected monument (8 July 2005)
Surface area 2,397.362947 m2 (25,805.0 sq ft)

Pathaha Pokuna is an ancient bathing tank or pool situated in Udugampola, Sri Lanka. It is located approximately 0.45 km (0.28 mi) from Udugampola Roundabout and close to the historic temple Uththararama Purana Vihara. The pond has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological protected monument in Sri Lanka.[1] The designation was declared on 8 July 2005 under the government Gazette number 1401.[2]

History

The information found in Rajaveliya and Alakeshwara Yuddhaya reveals that Udugampola and its surrounding area was a sub kingdom during the Kotte period.[3] King Sakala Kala Wallabha, one of three sons of King Parakramabahu VIII reign this region as a viceroy[4] while his eldest brother King Parakramabahu IX reign the Kingdom of Kotte. The third son, King Thaniya Wallabha reign in Madampe area.[5] According to the archaeological evidences found around the area called Maliga godella where the Udugampola Uththararama temple stands today is supposed to be place where the palace of King Sakala Kala Wallabha was situated. The Pathaha Pokuna adjoining the Uththararama temple has been identified as the bathing pool of the king.[6]

Folklore

The rock which was used by King Sakala Kala Wallabha to jump into the water
A pointed wood fragment found in the Pathaha pond. Currently this artifact has been placed at Udugampola Pradeshiya Sabha premises

King Sakalakala Wallabha is identified as a brilliant warrior in Kotta era. Being a popular king among the regional people, his reigning period and the transition of the throne was longed. Due to that his two of seven sons, prince Kalu Kumara Bandara and Veeramunda planned to kill their father by planting pointed wood with metal tips hidden under the water of Pathaha pond where the king used to bathe. But before jumping onto the points the king observed small flying insects landing on the water surface. Upon further scrutiny the king found the insects were landing on the points. Understanding the situation the king ordered the killing of his sons. But Kalu Kumara Bandara escaped and vanished to Sri Pada area and later committed suicide by jumping off a cliff. It is believed that he became a supernatural called "Kalu Kumaraya".[7][8]

The pond

Pathaha Pokuna at Udugampola is said to be one of largest bathing pools found in Asia. Built in the shape of English letter "L", the pond is considered as an excellent construction belonging to the Udugampola principality. Its total extent is 25,805 square feet. The walls of the pond has been made of laterite with short juts protruding outwards from the bottom to the top. The laterite blocks used in the construction of the pond are vary in size but have been fitted nicely. The bunds of the south and the east banks of the pond are made of laterite blocks in a systematic manner while there is no evidence of the use of laterite for the portion of the bank extending about 122 meters to the north south direction.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ariyaratne, L. W. (6 October 2012). "Revival of Kotte Period: 'Patha Pokuna'". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  2. ↑ "Gazette". The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 1401. 8 July 2005.
  3. ↑ Wijesuriya, Dinithi (2015). "Administration of Udugampola, sub kingdom: A Historical and Archaeological Legacy". University of Kelaniya. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "The annual Nanumura Mangallaya of the Tanivelle Devalaya today". The Island (Sri Lanka). 16 August 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  5. ↑ "The Kandyan Rebellion". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 21 December 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "Cultural background of the Minuwangoda Division". Minuwangoda Urban Council. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  7. ↑ "සකලකලා වල්ලභ රජුගේ රාජධානිය". Lankadeepa. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  8. ↑ "පෘතුගීසින්ගෙන් රට බේරාගත් සකලකලා වල්ලභයන්ගේ උඩුගම්පොළ රාජධානිය". Divaina. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
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