Kuttam Pokuna

Pair of old pools in Sri Lanka

Kuttam Pokuna (twin ponds or pools) are well preserved old bathing tanks or ponds in Sri Lanka. This pair of ponds was built by the Sinhalese in the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom. They form part of the Abhayagiri vihāra complex and are an example of the works in the field of hydrological engineering, architecture and art of the ancient Sinhalese.

On a map of the Abhayagiri vihāra complex over thirty bodies of water can be counted. The largest of these is the Eth Pokuna (Elephant Pond). The Kuttam Pokuna are located on the eastern edge of the complex.

Not much is known about the history of these ponds. They are generally believed to be built during the reign of king Aggabodhi I of Anuradhapura (575 608). The Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, Sri Lanka, however, names the eighth or ninth century as the time of building. The name Twin Ponds is misleading, because they are not of the same age: The smaller northern pond (see below) is said to be older than the larger southern pond.

The larger, southern pond is 132 feet (40 m) by 51 feet (16 m), while the smaller, northern pond is 91 feet (28 m) by 51 feet (16 m). The depths of the two ponds is 14 feet (4 m) and 18 feet (5 m) for the smaller pond and the larger pond respectively. The space between wall surrounding the compound and the two ponds is 18 feet (5 m). A parapet was built around each of the ponds. The faces of the ponds are cut granite slabs as are the bottom and the sides of the ponds. The ponds are made wider at the top than at the bottom, giving them a stepped slope, with steps too narrow to descend. Flights of stairs are seen on the northern and southern ends of the ponds. The southern pond has an additional flight of stairs on the western side. Unlike the other stairs, these do not protrude from the side of the pond. The stairs lead to the bottom of the pond and are decorated with punkalas, or pots of abundance, and scroll design. Although the ponds look very much alike at first glance, there are marked differences. The punkalas of the larger pond are more ornate, for example, and so are the banisters of the stairs (see below). The sides of the large pond also have terraces on several levels, which are broad enough to walk or sit on and can be reached from the stairs. The ponds themselves were used by the Abhayagiri vihāra monks to bathe. However, some sources speak of the baths being used by kings and queens. Unfortunately, several of the large parapet stones of the northern pond were used to restore the lower eastern side of the southern pond. Because of this, not all stones could be placed in their original positions during the later full restoration (see below). Between 1950 and 1955 the ponds were fully restored, including the surrounding compound wall. Most of the original punkalas turned out to be missing. They had either been stolen or destroyed. These punkalas were replaced by faithful, concrete copies of the ones that were found on the site. The underground drain was left unrestored.