“Kok Doowa Island” – paradise for avifauna aficianados – By Arundathie Abeysinghe
A small rocky island located in the enormous *Parakrama Samudraya Reservoir in Polonnaruwa constructed by *King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) is a paradise for birdwatchers. During the nesting season of birds (from February to May) that coincides with the start of the monsoon, this tiny island turns home to thousands of nests, a birdwatchers’ paradise, a mesmerizing site…
“Kok Doowa” meaning the ‘island of storks’ due to large numbers of birds, especially, storks (Ciconiidae) nesting on the rock, the island is visited not only by birds, but by elephants, especially those crossing Parakrama Samudraya.
During the dry season, when the water levels of the reservoir decreases, visitors can walk across the water towards the island. Yet, when water levels are high, services of a fisherman’s boat to reach the island is necessary.
The island has two summits, approximately 200 meters in diameter, of which ruins of the stupa (dagoba) are located on the southeastern summit and the building ruins are on the northwestern summit. There is also a bathhouse towards the west of the stupa along with a retaining wall trace towards the south. At present, there are seven stones with a side of a stone measuring approximately 60 centimeters. Due to years of being subjected to harsh weather conditions, the scale and shape of the stones are unknown, but scholars are of the view that these are traces of a retaining wall that has been constructed on a site similar to a terrace with only one side molded. Moreover, there are small holes for furnaces or cast iron located under the slopes on the east and southeast sides of the stupa. Scholars are of the view that iron production would have taken place at this location, in the past.
The ruined stupa has a diameter of approximately 12 meters and at present, it is a mound of earth. Treasure hunters have dug a four-meter (wide) trench in search of treasures and as a result, the center of the stupa has a gap. There are pieces of bricks covered with lime plaster among the debris that would have covered the dome of the stupa, in the past.
A mesmerizing site at the location is the rectangular pool dug directly into the bedrock with a staircase for climbing down on the southern edge. Currently, there are six steps at the location. Many visitors consider the pool an infinity pool, perhaps the earliest infinity pool that has been constructed in Sri Lanka…
Directions: Enter Parakrama Samudraya from Polonnaruwa Museum and travel approximately 4.5 kilometers along the bund. Kok Doowa Island is situated 400 meters from the reservoir.
- Anuradhapura Kingdom – A major city in Sri Lanka (former Ceylon), the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is famous for its well-preserved ruins of Sri Lankan civilization. Founded in the 4th century, Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century. Anuradhapura is considered sacred to Buddhists and there are monasteries, stupas within an area of 40 square kilometers. Situated 205 kilometers north of Colombo, Anuradhapura was declared as the “Sacred City of Anuradhapura” and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
- Chola conquest – This was a military invasion of the *Anuradhapura Kingdom by the Chola Empire of Southern India, one of the longest ruling dynasties in world history. Initially, the Anuradhapura Kingdom was invaded in 993 AD and absorbed it into the Chola Empire of Southern India.
- King Parakramabahu – Parakramabahu I (1153–1186) also known as “Parakramabahu the Great”, was the king of Polonnaruwa. He united the island (Sri Lanka) under one rule, oversaw the expansion and beautification of his capital, reformed Buddhist practices, constructed extensive irrigation systems, reorganized the country’s army, encouraged the arts and undertook military campaigns in South India and Burma. He designed a government of 12 provincial governors, princes, army generals and leading merchants. He allowed Hindus freedom of worship. The adage “Not even a drop of water that comes from the rain must flow into the ocean without being made useful to man” is one of his most famous utterances.
- Parakrama Samudraya – Meaning “Sea of *King Parakrama” or “King Parakrama’s sea” is a shallow reservoir (wewa) located in *Polonnaruwa. Considered as one of the most valued creations in Sri Lankan history which was constructed by *King Parakramabahu, Parakrama Samudraya was built combining three rivers: Topa wewa, Dumutulu wewa, and Eramudu wewa. Parakrama Samudraya originally consisted of five large reservoirs separated by smaller dams to reduce the pressure on the main dam. Currently, Parakrama Samudraya is only a portion of King Parakramabahu’s original creation.
- Polonnaruwa – The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa or the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (also known as Pulastipura) was the second capital of Sri Lanka for three centuries from 11th to 13th centuries. After the *Chola conquest of Anuradhapura Kingdom, the center of administration was shifted to Polonnaruwa until 1232. Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
