Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)
කුට්ටම් පොකුණ
A pair of stone bathing pools used by monks at Abhayagiri. Steps, naga serpent-king carvings and an underground water-filtration system show the skill of ancient Sinhalese hydraulic engineering.
The Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds) were built between the 8th and 10th centuries CE. Two rectangular pools, one larger and one smaller (about 40 m and 28 m long), are joined end to end. Their walls are built of finely cut granite and feature steps, with decorations such as a full pot and a naga (five-headed snake deity) carving at the edges. Water was brought from a distant reservoir through underground pipes and filtered through a settling tank before entering the pools. It is a prime example of ancient Sinhalese water engineering. The site lies north of Abhayagiri. It photographs well and is not far from the Samadhi Statue. Allow about 20 minutes for a visit.
Opening hours
About 07:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Samadhi Statue
- Abhayagiri Vihāra
- Mahasena's Palace Moonstone
- Eth Pokuna (Elephant Pond)
- Lankarama
- Thuparamaya
- Jetavanaramaya
- Ruwanwelisaya