Parakrama Samudraya
The Ocean of the King Parakramanahu
This vast water reservoir was built by King Parakramabahu the great (1153-1186)
and today what you see as the Parakrama Samudraya is only a portion of
his original creation.
An Island with remains of a ancient building |
The tank during the dry season |
An Island used by the royals during the Pollonnaruwa Era |
 |
 |
 |
Parakrama Samudraya originally consisted of five large reservoirs separated
by smaller dams to reduce the pressure on the main dam. Many smaller tanks has been
built around the main tank to feed these primary tanks and to take in excess water.
The main five reservoirs which consist of the Parakrama Samudraya are
- Thopa Vawa
- Eramudu Vewa (Katu Vewa)
- Dumbuthulu Vewa
- Kalahagala Vewa
- Bhu Vewa
During reconstruction of the Parakrama Samudraya in the latter half of 19th centuary, the water which was
supposed to flow to the Thopa Vawa has started flowing to the Bhu Vewa. To control this
the engineers constructed a temporary dam to block the water flowing to the
Bhu Vewa. This temporary dam became a permanent road and this road isolated
Kalahagala Vewa and Bhu Vewa from the Parakrama Samudraya. The new reconstruction
process has ignored most of the ancient technology which this tank was built
in reducing the capacity of the tank further.
As at today, the dam of Parakrama Samudraya is 8 ½ miles (14
kilometres) in length and 40 feet (12.2 metres) in height. The body of water
covers 5350 acres with an average depth of 25 feet. Over 18000 acres of paddy
land is supported by this reservoir.
On one edge of the reservoir is the Polonnaruwa Rest House managed by Hotels
Corporation. Along the dam there are few star class hotels closer to the Pothgul
Vehera (Pothgul Temple).
After travelling to the very end of the dam (all 8 ½ miles) and further
along the canal which feed the Parakrama Samudraya you come to place
called “Angammadilla”. This is the place where the Amban ganga (river)
is diverted towards the Parakrama Samudraya. After walking about 500
metres in to the jungle you can come to a still unspoilt camping/bathing site.
Due to the distance from the main city this location is still untouched and
is great place to spend the day. This area is elephant country and you can see
the dung of wild elephants as you walk along the path to the river. A little
scary if you try it when it is dark.
Articles
The king of wewas - Parakrama Samudra - by Kishanie S. Fernando
Created : March 24, 2005
Updated :
June 22, 2008
|
