Twin Ponds Kuttam Pokuna

Kingdom. Constructed in the 6th century AD during the reign of King Aggabodhi I, this pair of

large granite bathing pools was designed as a ritual washing facility for the thousands of monks

residing at the nearby Abhayagiri Monastic University.

Despite being called "twin" ponds, the two pools are actually of different sizes: the larger

northern pond measures roughly 132 feet in length, while the southern pond measures 91 feet.

Both pools are lined with perfectly cut, tight-fitting granite slabs that create an elegant, multi-

tiered staircase leading down to the water.

The engineering behind the Twin Ponds is remarkably sophisticated. Water from a nearby

reservoir was channeled through a series of underground terracotta pipes, passing through a

multi-stage filtration system of desisting chambers where mud and sand were removed before

the clean water was allowed to cascade gracefully into the pools through a carved stone lion's

mouth. At the deep end of the pools, a separate drainage system allowed the water to be

emptied and sent to nearby agricultural fields, ensuring no water was wasted. The entrance to

the ponds is guarded by a beautifully preserved stone carving of a multi-headed cobra (Naga),

which served as an ancient symbol of water protection and prosperity, showcasing how early

builders seamlessly blended function with exceptional art.