Page 283 - Proceedings book

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In this way, it is seen in a Brahmi inscription of Akurugodalla in Tissamaharama, a

pond made by a person named Parumaka Pushyadeva which is belong to B.C. The
ponds were irrigated with water from tanks. The water was supplied through well-

developed tunnels. King Vasabha built many such ponds. A tunnel built by King
Mahanaga for Maha Bodhi services has been discovered. In this way, water was also

provided for Lovamahapaya through tunnels. King Aggabodhi I also built a pond for

the sanctuary, and the pond he created is known as "Nagasondi" (Delpagoda, 2016).
Similarly, the Vessagiri inscription mentions about the pond built for monks by King

Mihindu II of the Anurapura period, and the supply of water to Kehelgeya and
Mahanel ponds which was built by King Mihindu IV (956-972 AD) in Ranmasu

Garden (Habarakada, 1996). Pond design was a unique feature in the design of the

royal palace and monastery. During the Polonnaru period, the Lotus Pond of King
Maha Parakramabahu, Kumara Pond (Shila Pokkharaniya) takes a special place. In

the Anurapura period ponds were built with steps on four sides to enter the pond.

This pond helped in water consumption, beautification of the garden and keeping the

environment cool. Ponds were also arranged as a place to collect water collected from

religious places throughout the city. Drainage for these ponds was done from city
tanks. Aqueducts made of stone were built for it. About sixty-five different ponds

were found in the Abhayagiri excavations. Monasteries and places of worship were
located on an elevation, and ponds were established in the lower areas. Twin Pond is a

unique pond located in the Abhayagiriya monastery. One is small and the other is
large.

Ponds were special features of the gardens. These ponds were supplied with water

from the lake. According to a letter of King Mihindu IV, Ranmasu garden and pond
were supplied with water from the Tisa Reservoir. This garden is about 35 acres.

Walls were often built around the garden, and the lake front was not. The water in the
ponds flowed into each of the ponds by canals or pipes made of granite or brick in

between. Small reservoirs were also built between these ponds. Those ponds and lakes

were filled with Olu, Lotus, and Lily flowers, and surrounded with flowers, Na,
Domba ornamental trees and flowers (Delpagoda, 2016).

Gardens like Ranmasu Garden and Kaludiya Ponds Garden located in Anuradhapura
city were the unique creations of the city design of that era. The Chulavamsa gives

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