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  • 5/5 Kavindu T. 1 year ago on Google
    This gigantic man-made pond called “Eth Pokuna” or “Elephant Pond” is situated close to Lankaramaya in Anuradhapura. This is a rectangular pond, 159 meters in length 52.7 meters across and 9.5 meters in-depth with the holding capacity of 75,000 cubic meters of water. Eth Pokuna literary means “The Elephant Pond” due its scale. This is part of the landscape of the massive Abhayagriya monastery spreading over 500 acres. The tank is made out of large stone blocks stacked at an angle at the walls. There 3 sets of stairs to the bottom, in south, north and eastern sides. The bottom is not paved. It is not know how the name came to been but possibly due its sheer size. H.E Weerasooriya records that this pond was called Kuruwe Wewa” by the locals in The Maha Bodhi Vamsa written in 12th century mentions two ponds in the Abhayagriya monastery called Diggal Vila and Masthota Vila. It is believed the Masthota Vila is the pond known as Eth Pokuna today. The water to this pond has been supplied from the Periyamkulama Tank through a network of underground conduits, and you still can see part of the water lines made out of stone blocks. The water is filtered through external filter pits before the water is fed to the pond. These underground canals still work after so many hundreds years and in 1982 after a very heavy rainy season you could see water pouring though these inlets from the Periyamkulama tank. This tank probably has been used by the monks in the Abayagiri monastery who amounted over five thousand priests.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dimuthu V. 5 years ago on Google
    Eth pokuna (Elephant pond) is an ancient man made pond situated close to Lankaramaya. It is a large scale pond and water supply network (Underground channels) still working after hundred of years.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 tharushika d. 4 years ago on Google
    It was named as Eliphant pond because of it's colossal size.It equal in area to 6 modern olympic swimming pools joined together.The most important thing is the eliphant pond near lankarama stupa is the largest man made pond in ancient city of Anuradhapura.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chamath U. 10 months ago on Google
    This pond was built for the monks to bathe and it’s six times of Olympic size swimming pools. Although this was built during 5 BC , many don’t visit this place. There is a board to describe it however it has faded away the letters. Hope archaeological department have this place renovated and build a proper path to it. We were fortunate as a friend of mine who is a tour guide took us there.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Janindu P. 3 years ago on Google
    This is the largest pond located in Sri Lanka and the area is 2 arce. Place is not common among travelers so the place is not busy. Recommended to visit

  • 5/5 Chathuranga B. 4 years ago on Google
    An enormous tank which is made for the use of Buddhist monks who lived there. Located at the very edge of the ancient city.

  • 5/5 ishara i. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a hidden pond everyone misses.very close to sadakada pahana and muragala..dont miss it.used as a pond to elephants bathing

  • 5/5 Nath W. 7 years ago on Google
    Every Sri Lankan must see this place...

  • 5/5 Tharaka T. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing

  • 5/5 Praneeth M. 8 months ago on Google
    The biggest man made ancient pond in Sri lanka with 159m in length and 50m in width

  • 5/5 Maneth M. 9 months ago on Google
    This giant pond is located in Anuradhapura. This is used by monks. This pond isn't the largest pond in South Asia. It is Banda Pokuna loacated in Ritigala.

  • 5/5 Ranga J. 8 months ago on Google
    Have been to Anuradhapura so many times since childhood but first time visited this place and simply amazed.

  • 5/5 Nipuna D. 6 months ago on Google
    It would be best if you could go there in the evening, place is windy so, it is advised that you exercise caution. We lost the track of time, it felt so nice to just to be around the place.


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