Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)

Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna) Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna) Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)

The Lotus Pond, known in Sinhala as Nelum Pokuna, is an ancient stone bath located within the archaeological precincts of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. Thought to date from the reign of King Parakramabahu I (12th century), it is an iconic example of the skilled stonework and aesthetic sensibility of the Polonnaruwa era.

This pond is carved from granite in the shape of a fully bloomed lotus flower. Its design consists of five concentric tiers, each forming eight petals that slope inward in concave form toward a central stamen. The dimensions are remarkable, with the outer diameter measuring about 24 feet and 9 inches, contracting toward a central circle of roughly 5 feet and 4 inches across.

The Lotus Pond is believed to have served as a bathing tank for monks associated with the nearby Jetavana Vihara. Its architectural refinement and symmetry reflect both functional utility and spiritual symbolism. Visitors can walk around its perimeter, gaze into the layered lotus design, and appreciate how light plays across the smooth stone and petal contours.

The site is accessible year-round via the paths within the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Park. It is best visited in the dry season, when the light accentuates the stone curves and pedestrian access is more comfortable. Morning or late afternoon visits offer the most serene atmosphere and soft lighting to admire the structure.

Over het district Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is de op één na grootste stad in de noord-centrale provincie van Sri Lanka. De oude stad Polonnaruwa is door UNESCO uitgeroepen tot Werelderfgoed. Polonnaruwa heeft een rijke geschiedenis van veroveringen en strijd achter de rug en vormt terecht het derde element in de Culturele Driehoek. Gelegen op ongeveer 140 km ten noordoosten van Kandy, biedt Polonnaruwa urenlang eindeloos plezier voor liefhebbers van geschiedenis en cultuur, met talloze bezienswaardigheden van betekenis.

Much of the physical ruins standing today are credited to King Parakrama Bahu I who spent many royal resources on town planning, including parks, edifices, irrigation systems and so on. The period of his rule is considered a golden age where the kingdom thrived and prospered under a visionary ruler. The Parakrama Samudra is a mammoth tank and named after its patron. The popular kings Royal Palace, the Audience Hall encircled by beautifully carved stone elephants and the Bathing Pool reflect the superior engineering capabilities of the time.

Over Noord-Centrale Provincie

De Noord-Centrale Provincie, de grootste provincie van het land, beslaat 16% van het totale landoppervlak. De Noord-Centrale Provincie bestaat uit twee districten: Polonnaruwa en Anuradhapure. Anuradhapura is het grootste district van Sri Lanka. De oppervlakte bedraagt ​​7.128 km².

De Noord-Centrale Provincie biedt talloze mogelijkheden voor investeerders om hun bedrijf te starten, met name in de landbouw, agrarische bedrijven en de veehouderij. Meer dan 65% van de bevolking van de Noord-Centrale Provincie is afhankelijk van basislandbouw en agrarische bedrijven. De NCP wordt ook wel "Wew Bendi Rajje" genoemd, omdat er meer dan 3000 middelgrote en grote tanks in de provincie staan. Sri Maha Bodiya, Ruwanweli Seya, Thuparama Dageba, het Abayagiri-klooster, Polonnaruwa Rankot Wehera en Lankathilake zijn bang.

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