Kaludiya Pokuna: Convergence of History, Archaeology and Panorama - By Arundathie Abeysinghe

Kaludiya Pokuna: Convergence of History, Archaeology and Panorama – By Arundathie Abeysinghe

Sri Lanka is bestowed with religious, historical and archaeological sites, some of which are in ruins, at present. *Mihintale, considered as the “Cradle of Buddhism” is a location where one of the most significant events in Sri Lanka’s history, the meeting between Arhat Mahinda (son of Emperor Asoka of India) and King Devanampiyatissa (306 BC – 266 BC) took place. Hence, Buddhism in Sri Lanka is inextricably linked to Mihintale.

Situated off the beaten track and rarely visited by the majority of tourists, Kaludiya Pokuna (meaning Black Water Pond – “kalu” meaning black, “diya” meaning water and “pokuna” meaning pond) is a breathtaking site located at the foot of the western slopes of Mihintale. It is the largest among ponds in Mihintale. Most scholars are of the view that Kaludiya Pokuna may be the ancient Porodini Pokuna inscribed in the tablets of *Mahinda IV.

Rajagirilena (“lena” meaning cave in Sinhala), (“Rajagiri” or “Rajagiri Kanda” meaning the hill of the kings) that has been converted into caves is a magnificent site situated in close proximity to Kaludiya Pokuna.

Amongst its serene, tranquil, forest and boulder-clad environs there are earliest examples of hydraulic engineering skills blended with landscaping and sculpture constructed by our forefathers. The complex of well-planned structures around Kaludiya Pokuna depicts an advanced hydraulic civilization with artificial moats including bath houses that have been utilized in the past.

According to scholars, the monastic establishment in close proximity to Kaludiya Pokuna has paved the way for the development of an impressive network of irrigation channels utilizing natural as well as artificial ponds and waterways.

Scholars are of the view that the name “Kaludiya Pokuna” would have also evolved due to the somber reflections of trees and boulders of the adjacent forests and mountains that can be seen at certain hours.

Around Kaludiya Pokuna, there are remains of an ancient Monastery with a stupa, *uposathaghara or poya ge, promenade for walking, pirivena (monastic college for the education of monks), residential cells and a bath house.

There is also a cave dwelling in the vicinity, located under a huge overhanging of a boulder. Smooth granite slabs and brick are blended together to form the enclosing walls of the cave, instead of the usual brick and mortar. According to scholars, this would have been the bathing house attached to a pond utilized by monks (for bathing).

Kaludiya Pokuna and the ponds below Mihintale old monastery would have been utilized by the monks to fulfill their requirements of water.

Kaludiya Pokuna ancient site can be accessed from the main road, almost opposite the entrance to the Rajagirikanda caves of Minintale.

Image courtesy – amazinglanka.com, pinterst.com & researchgate.net

Anuradhapura – A major city in Sri Lanka (former Ceylon), the capital of Anuradhapura District was one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka 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. Anuradhapura was declared as the “Sacred City of Anuradhapura” and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
Arhat Sangamitta Theri – The historical arrival of Arhat Sangamitta Theri was in the 3rd century B.C. shortly after the official introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arhat Mahinda. Arhat Sangamitta’s arrival also paved the way for the establishment of the Order of Bhikkuni (Bhikkuni Sasana) in the country. Under the auspices of Emperor Asokha, Arhat Sangamitta and retinue had arrived in Dambakola Patuna port with the *Bo sapling placed in a golden bowl.
Bo sapling – The sapling of the Bodhi tree or Bo tree is the specific sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) under which the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) sat when the Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, India. Ficus religiosa is a species of fig tree native to the Indian subcontinent.
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 into the Chola Empire of Southern India.
Enlightenment – In Buddhism, Enlightenment is when a Buddhist finds the truth about life and stops being reborn as he/she has reached Nirvana (A release from the cycle of death and rebirth, the ultimate spiritual goal of Buddhism).
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya – A sacred fig or bo-tree (Ficus religiosa) in the Mahamewna Gardens, Anuradhapura. It is the southern branch of the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which the Buddha attained *Enlightenment. It was planted by King Devanampiya Tissa on a high terrace approximately 6.5 meters (21.3 feet) above the ground surrounded by railings. Considered as the oldest tree in recorded history (over 2,200 years old) and one of the most sacred trees for Buddhists all over the world, the bo sapling was brought to the country by *Arhat Theri Sanghamitra.
Lovamahapaya – Also known as the “Brazen Palace “or “Lohaprasadaya” as the roof was covered with bronze tiles, it is a massive nine storied structure with a height of 47 meters (150 ft) and each side with a 46 meters (150 feet) length. Situated between *Ruwanweliseya and *Sri Mahabodi, in the past, the refectory and the uposathagara had been included in the structure.
Mahinda IV – King of Anuradhapura in the 10th century (975 to 991). According to chronicles, he has fought a war in the *Pandyan Country and defeated multiple *Chola generals.

Mihintale – Also known as “Missaka Pawwa” or “Chethiya Pabbatha” (due to a large number of stupas (dagobas) that are located on the mountains) is a historic mountain range situated in close proximity to Anuradhapura. According to chronicles, this is the location of a meeting between Arhat Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa. The caves in the location had been specially prepared as dwellings for the meditating Bhikkus and donated by pious laymen. These caves comprise Brahmi inscriptions, the oldest forms of writing in Sri Lanka. A former hunting ground of Sri Lankan Kings, the location was converted into a massive monastic complex that housed thousands of erudite meditating monks.
Pandyan Kingdom – One of the three ancient Tamil Kingdoms (Chola and Chera being the other two) also referred to as the “Pandyas of Madurai” was an ancient dynasty of South India from pre-historic times until the end of the 15th century. Pandyans entered their golden age under Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (c. 1251) who expanded their empire into Telugu country and invaded Sri Lanka to conquer the northern regions. Pandyans had extensive trade links and excelled in trade. They also controlled pearl fisheries along the South Indian coast between Sri Lanka and India.
Ruwanweli Maha Seya – Also known as “Mahathupa” or “Mahasthupa” is a stupa in Anuradhapura built by King Dutugemunu (161-137 BC). Situated adjacent to *Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya in the Mahamewuna Uyana, Ruwanweliseya is ranked as one of the tallest ancient monuments in the world. Ruwanweli Seya has a diameter of 90 meters at the base and is 92 meters (300 feet) high. The circumference is 292 meters (950 feet) high. The original stupa had been approximately 55 meters tall (about 180 feet) and many kings had renovated the Stupa. Similar to the majority of Sri Lankan Stupas, Ruwanweliseya has been constructed resembling a bubble floating on water (diya bubula). The entire stupa is surrounded by a wall sculpted with elephants.
Uposathaghara – Also known as “Pohoya-ge” (or Chapter House) is the central building linked with the order and organization of the monks assembled at the Uposathaghara structure in ancient Buddhist Temples used for Uposatha ceremony (religious acts connected with the Vinaya (monastic rule) of Buddhist monks). It was also the building where monks met at regular intervals to perform certain rituals pertaining to their conduct or behavior. The structure had also been used as a monastic dwelling. During the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods, the Uposathagharaya of several major monasteries had been multi-storied edifices. According to scholars, the best example of Uposathagharaya is in *Lovamahapaya in Anuradhapura constructed in the 2nd century BC., a storied structure with 1600 pillars.